In the wake of their ‘alleged’ success in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party is set to advance its propaganda of protecting the Constitution with an event in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The party had earlier launched the slogan “Samvidhan Bachao” during the elections, which, for them, resonated with voters and contributed. Building on this, the Congress is organising a conference on August 24, inviting all citizens to join the movement to ‘safeguard’ the Constitution.
Samvidhan Samman Sammelan
The conference, titled “Samvidhan Samman Sammelan,” is scheduled to begin at 1 PM at the Allahabad Medical Association Convention Center. The Congress party has extended an open invitation to all “Nyay Yoddhas” (Justice Warriors) who supported the “Samvidhan Bachao” campaign during the elections. The party’s message is: that the Constitution is the foundation of the nation’s rights and identity, and it is imperative for all justice warriors to come together and contribute to its protection.
The agenda of the conference has been outlined with a focus on ensuring the rights and participation of marginalised communities through a caste census and building a prosperous and egalitarian India. The party has asked citizens to unite and join the ‘Samvidhan Samman Sammelan,’ emphasising the importance of protecting and respecting the Constitution.
During the Lok Sabha elections, Congress had managed to manipulate voters by telling them the ‘threats’ to the Constitution if the Modi government were to secure a third term in power. The party argued that the BJP’s slogan “Ab ki baar 400 paar” (crossing 400 seats) was an indication of their intention to secure a majority that could allow them to alter the Constitution.
This message somehow resonated with voters benefiting from reservations, who were concerned about the possible rollback of reservation policies under a continued Modi government. This strategy proved effective for Congress, resulting in slight impact on the BJP’s performance. They are set to use the gimmick again and manipulate the voters ahead of assembly elections.
Congress and the Constitution
As the Congress party gears up for another round of political manoeuvring, the familiar playbook is back in action: the use of the reservation card to gain electoral advantage. With the party at the centre, it appears that the Congress is set to once again leverage this issue to benefit from it, much like it has done in the past.
Throughout its history, the Congress party has not hesitated to amend the Constitution of India to suit its political objectives. In fact, the Congress has been responsible for amending the Constitution a total of 42 times during its various stints in power. These amendments often reflected the party’s evolving strategies and responses to the political climate, including efforts to solidify its voter base through the reservation system.
However, like many promises made and broken during election campaigns, the Congress’s current stance on protecting the Constitution is being viewed by some as another tactic to manipulate voters. Critics argue that the party is once again using voters as a stepping stone to exploit states and their resources, all under the guise of constitutional protection.
The Congress’s track record reveals a pattern of using the Constitution as a tool to further its own interests. From the controversial amendments made during the Emergency period to more recent changes aimed at reinforcing its social justice agenda, the party has consistently positioned itself as the defender of constitutional values. Yet, this defense often comes with strings attached, as the party seeks to maximize its political capital in the process.
The current scenario seems no different. By reigniting the debate around reservations, the Congress appears to be positioning itself as the champion of marginalized communities. However, this move is not without its critics. Many see it as a calculated effort to secure votes rather than a genuine attempt to uphold constitutional principles.
As the Congress continues to invoke the Constitution in its electoral strategy, questions are being raised about the true intentions behind its actions. Is the party genuinely committed to protecting the Constitution, or is it simply using it as a convenient shield to pursue its own political agenda?
Bharat Bandh against ‘Quota within Quota’
Recently, the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti called for a “Bharat Bandh” (nationwide shutdown) on August 21 to protest the Supreme Court’s ruling, which endorses the creation of sub-quotas within reserved categories. The ruling, issued on August 1, allows states to prioritise those most in need within the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. The National Confederation of Dalit and Adivasi Organisations (NACDAOR) has outlined a series of demands, including justice and equity for SCs, STs, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The Bharat Bandh was organised by various community groups and political organisations, including the Reservation Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and NACDAOR. These groups oppose the implementation of the Creamy Layer concept in SC/ST reservations and the subdivision of quotas, fearing that it might reduce their access to reservation benefits. Their key demands include the rejection of the Creamy Layer for SC/ST reservations, the maintenance of the current reservation system without further sub-categorisation, and the continuation of benefits for the most marginalised communities within SC/ST categories.
On the other hand, communities that stand to benefit from the Supreme Court’s ruling argue that they have long advocated for proportional representation and have fought legal battles to achieve it. They believe that representation proportional to their population is a right and expressed frustration over not being consulted before the call for the Bharat Bandh.
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