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The Indian political landscape has been embroiled in a heated debate surrounding reservations, with Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar launching a scathing critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent comments on the issue. Dhankhar, in a public event in Mumbai, accused Rahul of harboring an 'anti-constitutional mindset' for his remarks on reservations made during his visit to the United States. Dhankhar asserted that Rahul's comments, delivered on foreign soil, highlighted a fundamental disregard for the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The vice president further emphasized the importance of understanding and respecting the spirit of the Constitution, cautioning against a selective interpretation that disregards the core values it embodies.
Dhankhar's remarks sparked immediate counter-arguments from the Congress party. Pawan Khera, the head of the Congress media and publicity department, took to X (formerly Twitter) to question Dhankhar's stance on the issue. Khera directly addressed the vice president, asking if he supported Rahul's demand for removing the 50% cap on reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This pointed query aimed to expose any inconsistencies in Dhankhar's criticism, highlighting the possibility of selective outrage rather than genuine concern for constitutional principles.
Rahul Gandhi, the subject of the controversy, has attempted to clarify his stance on reservations. Initially, he had indicated that the Congress party might consider removing reservations in the future, contingent upon achieving a more equitable society. However, following Dhankhar's criticism and widespread media attention, Rahul clarified his position, stating that he was misquoted and reaffirming the party's commitment to increasing reservations beyond the current 50% limit. This clarification, while attempting to appease critics, has further fueled the debate, raising questions about the party's long-term vision for reservation policies.