BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
In a recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its approach towards issues of reservation and the caste census. He alleged that the BJP, instead of addressing these concerns head-on, employs indirect tactics to deny them, leaving marginalized communities to bear the brunt of the consequences. Yadav pointed out that the BJP subtly undermines the concept of reservation by proposing changes to the Constitution, which could potentially dilute the provisions designed to protect the interests of historically disadvantaged groups.
He drew a parallel between this approach and the BJP’s stance on the caste census, a critical tool for understanding and addressing the socio-economic disparities among different communities in India. According to Yadav, the BJP sidesteps the issue of conducting a caste census by arguing that it would create social divisions, thereby avoiding a crucial conversation about the realities of caste-based inequalities in the country.
The Samajwadi Party leader further accused the BJP of being anti-people, suggesting that the party prefers to have its leaders subtly promote these agendas rather than openly declaring their intentions. This indirect method, according to Yadav, allows the BJP to gauge public reaction before making any firm commitments. When public protests against such policies grow too loud to ignore, the BJP then retreats, claiming to reconsider or withdraw the proposals. However, by that time, the damage has already been done, and the poor, who were manipulated as mere pawns in this political game, are left to face the consequences alone.
Yadav’s critique also touched on the broader disconnect between the BJP and the public, particularly the poor and marginalized. He argued that the BJP’s reluctance to directly engage with the concerns of these communities is indicative of a deeper indifference to their struggles. “BJP is not even close to its own people,” Yadav remarked, questioning the party’s ability to address the needs of the general public.
The Samajwadi Party chief’s comments also highlighted the growing dissatisfaction with the BJP in regions like Aligarh, where the local ‘Khair’ community is reportedly expressing discontent with the party. Yadav implied that this discontent could signal trouble for the BJP in upcoming elections, as public sentiment seems to be turning against them. Yadav’s remarks underscore the ongoing political debate surrounding reservation and the caste census in India, while also calling into question the BJP’s commitment to social justice and its responsiveness to the needs of the most vulnerable sections of society.
