• Source:JND
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Amid row over Muslim reservation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in an interview with Jagran.com, categorically said that religion-based reservation was unconstitutional and BJP was strictly against its implementation. On being asked about NDA partners talking about giving reservation to Muslims, Shah said the Vanchits and backwards will suffer if this happens. The saffron party will not let it happen ‘as long as there is even a single BJP MP in the country’, adding that PM Modi was the biggest supporter of SC, ST and OBC reservation in the country.

“Every party may have its different views. But the BJP is not in favour of it because it is unconstitutional. In Karnataka, there was talk of reservation among Muslims, not only for the backward classes but for the entire Muslim community. Who will suffer the consequences of this? Will our Dalit and backward brothers and sisters not suffer? If we say this then you will talk about polarisation. Is this correct? I tell you that as long as there is even a single BJP MP in this country, reservation based on religion will not be allowed to be implemented and in this country, there is no bigger supporter of SC-ST, and OBC reservation than Narendra Modi,” Shah said. Read full interview of Amit Shah here

The BJP has been critical of the Congress for quite some time over the issue of Muslim reservation. Chiding the grand old party’s poll manifesto, PM Modi alleged the Congress was going to snatch the wealth of people to distribute it among the people of the Muslim community.

He also drew parallels with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s erstwhile statement, where the latter allegedly talked about the stake of minorities in the resources of the country.  

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 PM Modi had also specifically pointed out Congress' ‘initiative’ to introduce a 5 per cent quota for Muslims in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, describing it as a "pilot project" for potential nationwide implementation. The PM criticized Congress for including Muslims in the OBC list in Karnataka, calling it a form of reservation based on religion.