NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a strong critique of the Congress, alleging that the party had used the Constitution for political gains and failed to uphold the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar.
He also accused Congress of spreading the “virus of vote bank politics” by opposing the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act. Modi further claimed that the party treated Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes as “second-class citizens.”
“Congress made the Constitution a tool for gaining power. During the Emergency, the spirit of the Constitution was killed to retain power. The Constitution talks about a secular civil code, but Congress never implemented it. Today, uniform civil code has been implemented in Uttarakhand. Unfortunately, the Congress is opposing this,” Modi said.
He also accused the party of politicising reservations and failing to ensure their benefits reached intended communities.
“Congress never bothered to check if the benefits of reservation reached SC/ST and OBC communities.To play politics, Congress brought a law to give reservation on the basis of religion in government tenders. This is when Baba Saheb Ambedkar, in the Constitution, said that there should be no place for reservation on the basis of religion. Congress also changed Waqf rules for its own benefit.”
Continuing his criticism, Modi added, “Congress turned the pious Constitution into a weapon to gain power. It spread the virus of vote bank politics. We should not forget what they did with Ambedkar; till he was alive, Congress insulted him. He was defeated in polls twice.”
He contrasted this with the BJP’s approach. “Non-stop development, accelerated development, this is BJP government‘s mantra.”
On the issue of Waqf properties, Modi said: “There are lakhs of hectares of land in the name of Waqf. If benefits from Waqf properties had been given to the needy, it would have benefitted them. But land mafia benefitted from these properties. The loot of the poor will stop with this amended Waqf law. Under the new Waqf law, land or property belonging to any Adivasi cannot be touched by the Waqf Board. Poor Muslims and Pasmanda Muslims will get their rights. This is real social justice.”
Modi was speaking at an event in Haryana on the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, lauding the architect of the Constitution for his role in promoting social justice and Dalit empowerment.
As part of his visit, the Prime Minister also flagged off the inaugural commercial flight from Hisar to Ayodhya and laid the foundation stone for the new terminal building of Maharaja Agrasen Airport. The terminal, to be built at an estimated cost of over Rs 410 crore, will include a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, cargo terminal and an ATC tower. The project is targeted for completion in two years.
According to officials, scheduled flights from Hisar to Ayodhya will operate twice a week, while services to Jammu, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh will be available thrice a week — significantly enhancing Haryana’s aviation connectivity.
PM Modi also launched development projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore in the state during his visit. Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini and other state ministers were present at the event.
