Narendra Modi avoids Tamil Nadu politics

Though Mr Narendra Modi did not name anyone while referring to the dalit reservations issue, the PM’s attack appeared to be directed against Congress and its vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who recently made two trips to Hyderabad University to join protests over the suicide of a dalit scholar Rohith Vemula. On Saturday, Mr Gandhi had accused Mr Modi and RSS of trying to crush the spirit of students by imposing “one idea from the top”.

During a public meeting, which was to kickstart the BJP’s campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concentrated on national issues and made no reference at all to state politics. He said the Opposition was worried over the NDA government taking several steps to highlight the achievements of dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar.

Utilising the occasion, the Prime Minister said “lies are also being spread that Modi is going to take away reservation from dalits, OBCs, oppressed and the depressed. Please listen to me carefully. Dalits should progress. I assure the nation that nobody can do away with reservation till the name of Dr B.R. Ambedkar remains alive.”

He listed various steps and initiatives taken by his government in commemoration of Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary. Mr Modi underlined that unity, harmony and peace were essential for the country to progress.

The PM said that in the Lok Sabha the government was able to carry out its business and pass bills. When they came to power, the government decided to scrap 1,800 antiquated laws which were for the benefit of poor.

Mr Modi said the Lok Sabha has already scrapped 700 laws but they are pending in the Rajya Sabha. What the Congress is doing is against the poor and deprived of the country, he said.

He said the Lok Sabha has passed a bill to provide for higher bonus payment to poor labour but the Opposition did not allow it to be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

“But the government’s priority is to work for the welfare of dalits, backwards, the oppressed and the depressed. From our side, we will not spare any efforts,” Mr Modi said.

He said that not a single day has passed since they came to power without a good initiative from the government in the interest of the poor. Mr Modi said steps like dedicating the first two days of the Winter Session of Parliament to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar and acquiring the latter’s house in London has rattled the Opposition as they thought the dalit community was their vote-bank.