Congress made SCs, STs 2nd class citizens: PM

Speaking in Hisar after flagging off the first commercial flight from Maharaja Agrasen airport to Ayodhya and laying the foundation stone of a new terminal building at the airport, Modi criticised the Congress over its treatment of Dr Ambedkar. The Prime Minister alleged that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system.

He criticised the previous government for treating SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure, and highlighted the disparity under its rule, where water reached the swimming pools of some leaders but failed to reach villages.

The Prime Minister noted that even after 70 years of Independence, only 16 per cent of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities.

He informed the gathering that in the past six-seven years, his government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80 per cent of rural homes.

“After Babasaheb’s passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas,” Modi said. He highlighted that Dr Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. “While Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, the Congress spread the virus of vote bank politics in the country,” he said.

Modi remarked that Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalised individual, enabling them to dream and fulfil their aspirations.

Modi expressed confidence that, with Babasaheb’s blessings, tap water will reach every household. Addressing the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities, the Prime Minister highlighted the government’s efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged.

Criticising the earlier government’s rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them.

Modi further criticised the Congress for turning the Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power, and said that whenever they faced a crisis of power, it crushed the Constitution.

He highlighted the Emergency period, during which the then government undermined the spirit of the Constitution to retain power.

Modi emphasised that the essence of the Constitution was to ensure a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all, but the then government never implemented it. He pointed out the opposition to the implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand, despite its alignment with the Constitution's principles.

He stated that appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished.

Modi mentioned the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous government’s flawed policies. He noted that in 2013, just months before the general election, the Congress amended the Waqf Act in order to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several constitutional provisions.

Further criticising the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful action, Mr Modi remarked if the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.

Highlighting the vast tracts of land under Waqf, meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children, were instead exploited by a handful of land mafias, he pointed out that these mafias were encroaching on lands belonging to Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits.

He mentioned that amendments to the Waqf Act will put an end to such exploitation, emphasising a significant new provision in the amended law, ensuring that tribal lands cannot be touched by Waqf boards.

Underlining the numerous steps taken by the government since 2014 to honor Babasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy and inspire future generations, the Prime Minister pointed out that places associated with Babasaheb, both in India and abroad, were neglected for years.

Mr Modi noted that the government has developed all key sites, including Babasaheb’s birthplace in Mhow, his educational site in London, his Mahaparinirvan Sthal in Delhi, and his Diksha Bhoomi in Nagpur, transforming them into the “Panchteerth”. He proudly stated that Babasaheb was awarded the Bharat Ratna only when a BJP-supported government was in power at the Centre, and it was also their party when in power honored Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna.