On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Calcutta High Court’s decision to revoke the OBC status granted to “77 classes” in West Bengal as a “tight slap” to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the verdict and indicated her government might appeal to the Supreme Court. She also threatened the BJP with a ₹1000 crore defamation suit for allegedly maligning her government’s achievements with false claims.
The High Court invalidated the quota, noting that “religion appears to have been the sole criterion” for classifying these groups as OBCs. The court expressed concern that the “Muslim community has been treated as a commodity for political ends,” with the 77 classes being included as OBCs to serve as a vote bank, as reported by PTI.
Responding to the ruling, PM Modi criticized the West Bengal government for its extreme focus on appeasement politics. Speaking at a rally in Dwarka, he remarked that the Opposition accused him of communalism whenever he mentioned Muslims, but he was merely stating facts.
“Today, the Calcutta High Court has delivered a significant rebuke to the INDI alliance by canceling all OBC certificates issued since 2010. The West Bengal government granted these certificates to Muslims solely for vote bank politics,” he said, accusing the Opposition of conducting “vote jihad.”
Conversely, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, at a poll rally in Khardah, asserted that OBC reservations would persist in West Bengal. She explained that the OBC reservation was established after a thorough survey and approved by the cabinet and the assembly.
“We will maintain the OBC reservation. If necessary, we will appeal to a higher court,” she stated.
Referring to a May 20 order from the Calcutta High Court restricting the BJP from publishing certain advertisements, Banerjee pledged to file a ₹1000 crore defamation suit against the BJP for “spreading falsehoods about their achievements.”
“SC, ST, and OBC communities have constitutional rights. Minorities also have their rights. Can anyone legislate exclusively for Hindus, ignoring Muslims and other communities?” she asked, according to PTI.
“I will file a ₹1000 crore defamation suit against the BJP for spreading falsehoods and making false accusations against me and my projects. I haven’t taken a single paisa throughout my political career, and I will distribute any awarded amount among the people,” she added.
