Kiren Rijiju slams Congress leader over remarks on Muslim reservation

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday, March 24, strongly disapproved a statement made by a senior Congress leader alleging that it advocates constitutional amendments to provide reservations for Muslims. The controversy led to the adjournment of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Addressing the media, Rijiju stated, "The NDA has taken serious note of the remarks where the Congress leader explicitly mentioned that reservation in contracts for Muslims is a step towards granting broader reservation and benefits to the community. He further stated that this would require amending the Constitution of India."

The minister accused the Congress of attempting to alter the foundational principles of the Constitution, emphasizing that any reservation based on religious identity contradicts the secular framework of the country. Rijiju recalled that the issue of Muslim reservation was rejected in 1947 when the Muslim League proposed it in the Constituent Assembly.

"Our Constitution allows reservations based on economic and social criteria, but not on religious identity. By proposing such an amendment, the Congress leader has committed a fraud on the Constitution of India," Rijiju asserted.

The minister also demanded a clear stance from the Congress party and its president, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Rijiju called on Congress to clarify whether they intend to dismiss the leader in question or openly declare their intent to alter the Indian Constitution.