Lalu Prasad Yadav's recent comments advocating for "complete" reservation for Muslims ignited a political firestorm, with the BJP launching a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, accusing it of indulging in appeasement politics.
Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad made these remarks during a media interaction in Patna, alleging that the BJP aimed to dismantle reservations by undermining the Constitution.
"There should be reservation for Muslims, complete... They (BJP) want to destroy the Constitution and democracy of the country," stated the RJD supremo.
In the wake of the ensuing controversy, Lalu Yadav released a video message clarifying that while he supports reservation, it should be based on social backwardness rather than religion.
"We implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations. Has Narendra Modi ever read them? The Mandal Commission recommendations provide reservations for more than 3,500 backward castes, including many from other religions," he emphasized.
Referring to the BJP, Lalu Yadav asserted, "They do not understand the plight of the poor, the backward, and Dalits like I do. They thrive on creating divisions among them."
The former Bihar Chief Minister's comments injected a new dimension into the ongoing debate on reservation, sparking intense reactions from various quarters amid the Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP wasted no time in seizing upon Lalu Yadav's remarks to lambast the Opposition, accusing them of resorting to appeasement politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning in Madhya Pradesh, criticized the RJD chief, labeling him as a "fodder scam accused".
"They (Opposition) can't see beyond appeasement. If it comes to themselves, they will even take your breathing rights away," remarked PM Modi.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi interpreted Lalu Yadav's statement as indicative of the INDIA bloc's intentions to provide reservations to Muslims at the expense of SCs, STs, and OBCs.
"This word, 'complete,' used by him in his statement, is very serious. This makes it clear that they (INDIA bloc) want to provide reservations to Muslims from the share of SCs, STs, and OBCs," Trivedi asserted.
Meanwhile, the RJD's former ally JD(U) also condemned Lalu Yadav's stance, stating that it violated the fundamental principles of the Constitution and the Mandal Commission report.
Religion, the JD(U) spokesperson emphasized, should never serve as a criterion for extending reservation benefits.
"Such a statement is tantamount to a conspiracy against the backward classes who receive reservations due to their social and educational backwardness," remarked JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi.
