The Indian parliament on Wednesday passed the bill granting 10% quota to economically-weaker sections of general category after it was passed in the Rajya Sabha by 167- 7 votes. The Lok Sabha had passed it on Tuesday.
Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the passage of the Bill was a huge ‘victory’ for social justice. He tweeted, “Passage of The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in both Houses of Parliament is a victory for social justice. It ensures a wider canvas for our Yuva Shakti to showcase their prowess and contribute towards India’s transformation.”
Passage of The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in both Houses of Parliament is a victory for social justice.
It ensures a wider canvas for our Yuva Shakti to showcase their prowess and contribute towards India’s transformation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2019
His subsequent tweet read, “By passing The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019, we pay tributes to the makers of our Constitution and the great freedom fighters, who envisioned an India that is strong and inclusive.”
By passing The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019, we pay tributes to the makers of our Constitution and the great freedom fighters, who envisioned an India that is strong and inclusive.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2019
Although, many non-BJP parties including the Congress, BSP and the SP had accused the government of using the Bill as a stunt to woo voters in this year’s Lok Sabha polls, they did not vote against the Bill. This was primarily to avoid any bad publicity among upper caste Hindus that they were against providing them reservation in jobs and education.