"Manipulating rights for vote bank..." BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla hails Calcutta HC decision to cancel OBC certificates
May 23, 2024
New Delhi [India], May 23 : In response to the recent decision by the Calcutta High Court to cancel OBC certificates, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla voiced strong criticism, alleging that Mamata Banerjee's government in West Bengal had manipulated OBC rights for vote bank politics.
"About 5 lakh OBC certificates have been suspended. The High Court's decision has shown how, only for vote bank and appeasement politics, Mamata Banerjee's government gave the rights that were meant for the OBC community to Muslims on religious grounds."
He further accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of appeasing specific religious communities at the expense of OBC, SC, and ST groups, stating, "One more proof of appeasing a vote bank by snatching the rights of OBC, SC-ST people has come to light."
"When the Prime Minister even challenged them (INDIA alliance) to write in writing that reservation will not be given on religious grounds or by cutting it from OBC, SC-ST quota, they did not accept this challenge. They keep saying to save the Constitution, but the court has said that giving reservation like this is against the constitution. The Court of law has given its answer to the TMC and soon the Court of public opinion will also give an answer to this," he added.
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday cancelled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010. The court has directed the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to prepare a new list of OBCs in accordance with the 1993 Act.
Those in the OBC list before 2010 will remain. However, all OBC nominations after 2010 were cancelled. An estimated 5 lakh OBC certificates are set to be cancelled in light of the order.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came out in opposition to the Calcutta High Court order scrapping OBC certificates issued after 2010, saying that OBC Reservation will continue and she will move higher courts if needed.
Addressing a poll rally at Panihati under the Dumdum Lok Sabha constituency, Mamata said, "Not everyone in the courts are bad. I respect the judiciary. But the person who has given this order... I don't accept his judgment. I will not accept it. OBC reservation will continue. I will move higher courts if needed...They don't know me. I am not someone who will bow to their whims," she said.
