Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 25: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has found himself at the centre of a heated political controversy following allegations that he suggested altering the Constitution to implement religion-based reservations. Responding to the uproar, Congress leader Supriya Shrinate dismissed the accusations and hit back at the BJP.
Speaking to IANS, Shrinate accused the BJP of spreading misinformation. "The BJP is fabricating stories and making baseless allegations. The four percent reservation in Karnataka is for Backward Class Muslims under the 2B category. These reservations already existed in education and jobs, and now they have been extended to government contracts," she explained.
She further questioned the BJP's stance on reservations. "The reservation limit for SCs, STs, and OBCs in government contracts has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore. Is the BJP against reservations, or do they have an issue with reservations in government contracts? The truth is, the BJP and RSS have always opposed reservations, and their resistance is visible once again," she added.
Shrinate also reacted to the recent controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra's indirect swipe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by calling him a "gaddar" (traitor).
"Being in government means facing criticism and satire. Even the Prime Minister himself recently stated that sharp criticism is necessary in a democracy. So why can’t Shinde ji learn to tolerate it? The real issue is the increasing lawlessness, illegal demolitions, and 'bulldozer justice' in Maharashtra, which expose the government's failure to maintain order," she said.
Taking a direct jab at Shiv Sena’s political split, she remarked, "If someone has committed betrayal, then what’s wrong in calling them a traitor?"
Shrinate also addressed the growing tensions in the Odisha Assembly, where opposition legislators from the Congress and Biju Janata Dal staged protests over rising crimes against women and the demand for increased reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
"The atrocities against women in Odisha have reached an alarming level. Forty-four thousand women and children are missing, and the government seems unconcerned. In just the past nine months, 64 gang rapes have been reported, including cases where young schoolgirls were found pregnant. The situation is dire, yet the government remains silent," she asserted.
Shrinate further accused the ruling party of shielding perpetrators. "A gang rape occurred in Mayurbhanj, and the accused openly posts pictures with the Chief Minister of Odisha. Are the daughters of Odisha not an issue for this government? Their safety and dignity should be a priority."
The Congress leader vowed to continue the fight for justice. "We have already staged protests outside the Chief Minister’s residence, and on March 27, we will gherao (surround) the Vidhan Sabha. No amount of intimidation—whether suspensions, manhandling, or abuses—will stop us. We will continue this battle for justice," she concluded.