Mayawati Accuses Congress of Pro‑Reservation Neglect at Janata‑Mantra Demo

Lucknow, 23 August – Mayawati, the chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party, labeled the Congress party’s silence during a recent Janata‑Mantra protest as proof of an anti‑reservation stance. The protest, held at the iconic monument in Delhi, featured activists demanding the removal of caste‑based quotas in favour of an economic‑based reservation system. Mayawati dismissed the demand as contrary to the Constitution and harmful to the country’s social fabric.

She pointed out that on the same day, Rahul Gandhi and other senior Congress members were on a fast‑unto‑death outside the Parliament complex to file an FIR for a victim’s case. According to Mayawati, while the Congress leadership devoted hours to that cause, they failed to engage with the Janata‑Mantra demonstrators, thereby exposing a lack of commitment to Dalit and OBC concerns.

Reaffirming the purpose of the reservation policy, Mayawati quoted Dr. Ambedkar, stressing that abandoning caste discrimination is the greatest act of patriotism. She warned that governmental corruption in poverty‑eradication programmes hampers the delivery of benefits to the most vulnerable, especially those from lower castes.

The BSP chief called on all political parties to withdraw support for anti‑quota factions and urged the public not to turn the reservation debate into a political stunt. She emphasized that protecting constitutional provisions for marginalized communities remains essential for a just and progressive India.