'Reservation Can't Be Scrapped Until...': Kharge Clarifies Congress's Stance After Rahul Gandhi's US Remarks

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that reservations would continue as long as there is untouchability and a lack of social justice in the country.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge addresses a press conference, in Jammu, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Source : PTI

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday refuted quota remarks attributed to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, calling them "untrue." He emphasised that reservations would continue as long as there is untouchability and a lack of social justice in the country.

"Reservation cannot be scrapped until there is casteism in the Hindu religion. Until there is untouchability and lack of social justice, reservation will continue. It will continue till my death. I will tell my children to fight for it," Kharge said, news agency PTI reported.

In response to questions about Rahul's remarks on reservations, Kharge clarified, "He has not said so. He will not even say so. We will not even allow him to say (anything like this)". The Congress president highlighted his party's support of reservation. "It will not go. We will fight for it," he said.

While Rahul, during a speech in the U.S., said the Congress might reconsider reservations when "India is a fair place," he acknowledged that the current situation does not allow such a move.

J-K Election: Congress chief Kharge On NC's Push For Restoring Article 370

Kharge avoided directly addressing the National Conference's (NC) push to restore Article 370, focusing instead on restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood as a priority.

Responding to his party's support to the National Conference to bring back Article 370, Kharge said, "You know our agenda (on Article 370). You should go through our working committee resolutions. What we have said, we will go by that. Our one aim is to restore statehood. Other things later. Our first agenda is the restoration of statehood. After ensuring that, other matters can come later."

"The first phase of elections went well. We are hopeful that the NC and Congress will get maximum seats. In the upcoming phases too, the NC and Congress alliance will gain good seats and form a government that works for all sections of the people. We expect a majority in this election, " he said regarding the elections.

In response to another inquiry about whether the Congress' decision to provide the NC the maximum number of seats amounted to a surrender, Kharge stated, "No, it wasn't a surrender or a requirement for the Congress. The coalition is countrywide. It is also visible in Parliament."

He further added that this alliance has been formed with the aim of removing the BJP from politics, working jointly to keep the RSS away from its influence and safeguard the state. "We are working on this mission," he added.

Love With Us And Marriage With Pakistan: Kharge's Swipe At Modi

Regarding the BJP's allegations that the alliance was pursuing a "Pakistani agenda" because of NC's stance on Article 370, Kharge labeled these claims as diversionary tactics. "What Modi ji and Amit Shah are saying about the Congress having a Pakistani agenda is false. We have not gone to eat biryani. We did not hug him. They hugged him and now blame us," he said, PTI reported.

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks about patriotism, Kharge remarked, ''Love with us and marriage with Pakistan''. "The BJP has ruled for ten years with a lieutenant governor here, but they have not fulfilled their promises. They keep bringing up Pakistan to divert attention from their unfulfilled promises," he said.

Questioning PM Modi about the restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, Kharge said, "Why have you (PM) not done it? Why are they only talking about it during elections? It was in their hands. They had the power, but they did nothing." He dismissed the accusation about Rahul for pitching locals against outsiders during campaigning in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It is a lie. He does not say local and non-local. But who is taking contracts here? Are people from outside taking contracts? Who takes contracts for sand, mining, and liquor? Those who have a habit of telling lies will always spread falsehoods," he added.

Commenting on the slogan of Rahul’s 'Bharat Jodo', Kharge said, "His slogan is to take everyone together. They are the ones who run the shops of hate. RSS and BJP people always spread lies."

He also lashed out at PM Modi Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their continued target on the Gandhi and Abdullah families on withdrawing reservation. "These are things that don't exist on the ground. The BJP manufactures such threats and browbeats the public. They say that three families destroyed J&K. You two have destroyed India for the past ten years," he said.

Regarding the matter of rehabilitating the Pandits of Kashmir, Kharge declared, "We shall carry out Manmohan Singh ji's rehabilitation program for the displaced community." We will follow through on the promises we made in our manifesto."

Kharge refuted the assertion developed by the BJP that Rahul should be in Jammu and Kashmir for the elections but is instead on a tour to America. "It is not the first time they are saying this about Rahul ji. Where is the PM going? The PM does not have the courage to go to Manipur, where rapes are happening and houses are being destroyed. Manipur is closer to us than America. Please tell this to the PM and then talk about nationalism," he said.