National: A major controversy erupted in the Indian Parliament on Monday, March 24, after a senior Congress leader allegedly suggested constitutional amendments to provide reservations for Muslims. This led to the adjournment of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly disapproved of the Congress leader’s statement, accusing the party of attempting to alter the foundational principles of the Constitution. Rijiju emphasized that reservations based on religious identity contradict the secular framework of the country.
The minister 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,” Rijiju stated. He further asserted that proposing such an amendment would be a “fraud on the Constitution of India”.
Rijiju demanded a clear stance from the Congress party and its president, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. He called on Congress to clarify whether they intend to dismiss the leader in question or openly declare their intent to alter the Indian Constitution.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate, with the Congress party defending its stance. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who made the original remarks, later clarified that his comments were misquoted. The issue has highlighted the ongoing debate over reservations and the Constitution’s secular framework.
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