Siddaramaiah condemns BJP leaders protest against Rahul Gandhi

Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized BJP leaders for staging a protest against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making anti-reservation statements. He compared the protest to butchers condemning animal cruelty, questioning the moral authority of those who have historically opposed reservations and sought changes to the Constitution.
Siddaramaiah argued that the BJP’s anti-reservation stance prevents them from understanding Gandhi’s comments. He emphasized that the goal of reservation is to ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, and access to resources, which aligns with Gandhi’s stance.
Dr. BR Ambedkar introduced reservation policies to provide equal opportunities, yet Dalits, minorities, and backward classes still face inequality. Siddaramaiah highlighted that the RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, has consistently defended the caste system. He noted that the BJP has opposed social justice measures, including local body reservations in Karnataka and the Mandal Commission report led by former Prime Minister VP Singh.
Siddaramaiah recalled that when the Mandal Commission report was implemented, the BJP incited violence that resulted in student deaths. The BJP’s Kamandal movement aimed to divert attention from social issues by promoting religious communalism, which, Siddaramaiah argued, targeted both minorities and Dalit communities.
Siddaramaiah concluded that the BJP’s historical opposition to reservations and social justice undermines their credibility in criticizing Gandhi’s statements.