Caste survey: Dharmendra Pradhan assures fair play, says OBC Muslims will be supported just like others
Q. Critics argue the caste survey may play a divisive role.A. Social harmony requires systemic reform. You can't undo centuries of deprivation in just 78 years of independence. A caste survey will help understand the exact composition of society, which in turn enables better policy-making.advertisementQ. What is the BJP's view on the Rohini Commission report and sub-categorisation within OBCs?A. There are some models in the states. In Bihar, the Nitish Kumar-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government has done the sub-categorisation. Some southern states have also done it. The concept of 'creamy layer' is there as well. But first, we should have the basic database—the Rohini Commission is part of that process. Sub-categorisation will help identify the most backward within the OBCs, ensuring better-targeted support.Q. How will the BJP address concerns about OBC Muslims or Pasmanda Muslims?A. The Constitution recognises backwardness, not religion. OBC Muslims will be identified and supported just like others.Q. Some states did caste surveys, but Muslims were treated as a separate bloc for reservations. Is that problematic?A. Surveys must focus on backwardness, not religion. Some states have tried clubbing Muslims separately, which the Supreme Court has objected to. The idea is not to fragment society but to identify and support the truly deprived—regardless of religion.Q. What's your view on state-level caste surveys, such as in Karnataka?A. Many caste surveys were flawed and driven by political motives. Karnataka is an example where even the state doesn't know what to do with the data.advertisementQ. Even the Sangh Parivar has concerns that caste surveys may threaten Hindu unity or promote identity politics.A. Our society is built on five pillars—language, caste, religion, geography and economic status. Acknowledging these realities doesn't weaken unity. We aspire for a society with samajik samrasta (social harmony). Even among savarnas, PM Modi ensured that the EWS (economically weaker sections) get the benefits of reservation. Our initiatives are aimed at removing poverty, not reshaping cultural identities.Q. The BJP's core support base has traditionally been upper castes, but now you have growing support from Dalits and OBCs. What changed?A. For decades, the BJP and its earlier avatar Jana Sangh worked in communities through roti-beti relations. Even in the 1990s, we had leaders such as Kalyan Singh, Uma Bharti and Shivraj Singh Chouhan who became pillars of the party. Our organisational strength and clarity of purpose have helped gain trust across all sections.Q. The Congress and Rahul Gandhi claim their relentless campaign compelled the Modi government to back down and agree on doing a caste survey.A. The Congress has always used backward communities as vote-banks, not empowered them. Just compare our track-record with theirs. No one takes Rahul Gandhi's rhetoric seriously.advertisementSubscribe to India Today MagazineTune InMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Tiranga Yatra' fills Chandni Chowk with patriotic fervour
The historic lanes of Chandni Chowk were awash with patriotic colours on Monday, ahead of Independence Day. The Virat Tiranga Yatra, led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Praveen Khandelwal, brought together traders, residents, and BJP workers in a vibrant celebration. BJP leaders and workers during a 'Tiranga Yatra' at Chandni Chowk in New Delhi on Monday. (PTI) Starting from Red Fort's ramparts, and culminating at Fatehpuri, the celebration drew participation from women, youth, workers, and the local trading community and turned the bustling market area into a sea of tricolours. Shopfronts, rooftops, and street corners along the route were decorated with the national flag and the yatra was accompanied by bands, drums, shehnais, and trumpets. Local market associations and RWAs lined the route, showering flowers on the participants. Slogans such as 'Har Gali – Har Mohalla, Har Dil Mein Tiranga Laharaye' and 'Tiranga Aan Bharat Ki – Tiranga Shaan Bharat Ki' echoed throughout, underscoring the unity and pride of the gathering. Khandelwal described the yatra as 'a reflection of deep respect and unwavering commitment to our national flag.' He linked the event to the 'Bharatiya Samaan – Hamara Swabhiman' campaign under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a decisive step towards promoting indigenous products and self-reliance. 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi is recognised globally not only for his bold decisions but also for implementing them effectively. Today, the world acknowledges India's growing power, leadership, and capabilities,' Khandelwal said. He added that traders nationwide are joining the campaign, playing a key role in strengthening the economy and reviving India's manufacturing prowess. The initiative, he stressed, represents not just economic progress but also 'the resurgence of India's glory, pride, and self-reliance.'
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC orders reconstruction of 1984 anti-Sikh riots case records to ensure fair trial
The Delhi High Court has ordered the reconstruction of four-decade-old trial records in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, saying the victims' and society's right to a fair investigation and trial cannot be compromised by missing files or flawed earlier proceedings. The directive, issued to the trial court, concerns the acquittal of five men including former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar in the killing of four Sikhs in Ghaziabad's Raj Nagar. The court said the available material revealed 'several lacunae' in both the investigation and trial. The murders took place on November 1, 1984, a day after then PM Indira Gandhi's assassination. Three women had alleged that their husbands and son were burnt alive. In 1986, the trial court acquitted Khokhar and four others, citing lack of evidence. Now, nearly 40 years later, a bench of justices Subramanian Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar WHEN has acted on petitions challenging the correctness of that verdict. The bench had earlier observed that the 1986 judgment appeared 'unsustainable' and noted it was being relied on in appeals by Khokhar, Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal, Mahender Yadav, and Krishan Khokhar against their 2013 conviction for murdering five Sikhs in the same locality. Neither the state nor the victims had appealed the 1986 acquittal at the time. The court said the available material -- composite challans and the final judgments -- revealed 'several lacunae' in both the investigation and trial. Key eyewitnesses were never examined because summons were sent to addresses destroyed or abandoned during the riots. 'A composite challan has been filed for several cases, prima facie reflecting a perfunctory investigation,' the court said in its 66-page order, adding that the matter 'cannot be left to rest at this juncture.' Citing Supreme Court precedent in Abhai Raj Singh, the bench ruled that the trial court must reconstruct the records of Sessions Cases 31 and 32 of 1986, and only then can the High Court assess whether the original acquittals can stand. The matter will be heard next on September 1. 'The valuable rights of victims and the society at large to a free and fair investigation as also a real trial cannot be allowed to be compromised as a result of fait accompli,' the court observed. Senior advocate HS Phoolka, appearing for the complainants, argued that the 1986 investigation and trial were 'thoroughly inadequate and sketchy' and urged that the matters be remanded for retrial. Amicus curiae Siddharth Aggarwal asserted that the court, before giving any findings into the correctness of the judgements passed by the additional sessions judges, was under a mandate to call for the records, examine the same and only then proceed ahead in the matter. He submitted that the trial court records had been weeded out and it was inappropriate for the court to proceed further with the matter without getting the records. Khokhar's counsel had asserted that ordering a re-trial or further investigation, when the records have been weeded out, would violate his client's right to free trial. In a separate 26-page judgment, the same bench directed the authorities to widely publicise the various government compensation schemes available for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. It further instructed them to verify victims' claims within 16 weeks of receiving them and to disburse the compensation within two months thereafter.
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
Congress hosts INDIA bloc dinner in Delhi, Opposition leaders reaffirm unity
New Delhi [India], August 12 (ANI): Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, hosted a dinner for leaders of the INDIA Alliance in New Delhi on Monday. The gathering, attended by prominent Opposition figures, was described by the Congress as 'more than just dinner–it was a powerful reaffirmation of unity." An X post shared by Congress read, 'In the heart of New Delhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed INDIA alliance leaders to an evening that was more than just dinner–it was a powerful reaffirmation of unity. Bound by a shared commitment to uphold the Constitution and protect our democracy, the gathering radiated camaraderie, mutual respect and unwavering resolve."
