Key Highlights:
In his latest Hazaribagh speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Congress by making strong remarks accusing it of attempts to undermine the reservation rights of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). No political force can strip these communities off their constitutionally guaranteed rights, said Modi, adding that Congress has made several attempts to dilute the framework of social justice in India.
The political background of Modi’s accusations
Speaking at a rally in Jamshedpur on the last day of his ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in Jharkhand, Modi sharpened his attack on the Congress and the JMM-led coalition. He alleged that the opposition parties have consistently undermined the rights of marginalized communities, particularly through schemes and policies that weaken the foundations of social justice. Modi’s rhetoric highlighted the BJP’s role in defending these communities against any such encroachments.
He continued to assure the gathering public that, if he were to head the government, reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs would remain untouched. Modi informed Congress’s “vote bank politics” has already threatened it and promised that if anything is done to tweak the reservation system, the people will not let it be done.
Reservation Politics: A Central Issue for Jharkhand
Jharkhand has a large tribal and backward class population, and so debates over reservation policies dominate the electoral discourse. All these statements were meant to touch this nerve ahead of elections in the state. In PM Modi’s comments, the strategy was that the comments are part of a much larger BJP approach to project itself as a champion of social justice. It does so by projecting itself as the guardian of the interest of the subaltern classes-tribals and OBCs.
Fears of Invasion and Depopulation
On the other hand, PM Modi also spoke about the declining population of Hindus and Adivasis in Jharkhand. In this regard, he states it is a result of the infiltrators that have allegedly inundated Jharkhand, with illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and other countries, which the JMM-led state government supports. According to Modi, this demographic shift is direct result of “vote bank politics,” or voting considerations become more important to support the interests of illegal settlers than the indigenous population in its endangerment of the identity and heritage of Jharkhand.
Modi harnessed these concerns to campaign for the BJP’s “Parivartan Yatra,” asking the people of Jharkhand to stand up to those selling them this toxic political agenda by refusing them. He warned that uncontrolled infiltration would have devastating effects not only on the population but also on the economic and social life of the state.
The Campaign Towards Elections
Modi’s rally in Jharkhand has marked an escalation in the campaign strategy of the BJP as the state readies itself for its assembly elections. His talk about protecting tribal rights and fighting infiltration resonates quite truly with large sections of the electorate, especially those concerned with preserving the unique demographic and cultural fabric of the state.
The BJP’s “Parivartan Yatra” has been crisscrossing over 5,000 kilometers through each of the 81 assembly constituencies to overthrow the JMM-led coalition. Modi’s speech is within this ideological reminder of saving Jharkhand’s future from corrupt and divisive forces who, in Modi’s words, prioritise personal gain over public welfare.
Call for Action
PM Modi’s statements are part of a larger political strategy to mobilize the backward and tribal population of Jharkhand. Their speeches on reservation, declining populations, and infiltrators are all carefully designed and crafted to come to address this section of the marginalized population in the state while projecting opposition as abettors to weakening the interest of these communities.
The call of “Parivartan” by Modi is to connect with those alienated by the policies of the current state government. The BJP therefore intends to sway the public opinion ahead of the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections through focusing on sensitive issues like reservation and outsiders.
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