Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statement is a reality check for political parties peddling the promise of religious reservations. As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach on November 20, Shah didn’t mince words. Addressing a rally, he ridiculed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s electoral promises, asserting that even Gandhi’s “next four generations” couldn’t deliver on his pledge of 4% reservations for Muslims, as it blatantly contradicts the Constitution. Congress, desperate to regain power in Maharashtra as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, is banking on this contentious promise. The coalition, which includes Sharad Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, is up against the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP breakaway group. But despite its lofty promises, the MVA appears to be clutching at straws. History has shown that promises of reservations based on religion do not hold up in court. Congress had tried similar tactics in Karnataka, which may have helped them secure a win there. But Maharashtra is a different battlefield. The BJP-led Mahayuti government, under Eknath Shinde, has touted its achievements over the past year, including social welfare schemes like the Mahalakshmi Yojana, which provides Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women. The BJP’s pitch to voters is rooted in its record of governance and a clear, constitutional stance on reservations.
Shah’s firm stance isn’t just a political maneuver; it’s a reminder of the limits set by the Constitution. In the past, attempts to introduce religious quotas, such as those by the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s government in undivided Andhra Pradesh, were struck down by the Supreme Court. Yet, parties like Congress, the Samajwadi Party, and even regional players like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) continue to make hollow promises to minorities for electoral gains. The courts have repeatedly ruled that reservations based on religion are unconstitutional, yet political leaders persist in making them. The desperation is palpable in the Congress camp, especially after Karnataka. But Maharashtra is a different ballgame. The Mahayuti’s message is clear: stability, progress, and adherence to the law. Shah’s declaration resonates beyond Maharashtra, challenging not only the Congress but also allies within the BJP’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) who flirt with similar promises. The TDP, a key NDA ally, has made noises about minority reservations in the past but seems wary of repeating past mistakes that could jeopardize its partnership with the BJP.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek hai to safe hai” and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s more polarizing rhetoric – “Batenge to katenge”- are designed to consolidate the Hindu vote. The BJP’s strategy is clear: sideline divisive, unconstitutional promises and instead focus on a cohesive, nationalist agenda. Amit Shah’s unequivocal dismissal of religious-based reservations is not just about winning elections; it is a statement about upholding the Constitution. Political parties that continue to promise religious quotas are either naive or cynical, banking on voter ignorance to win short-term gains. But voters are growing weary of these empty promises. The Constitution is the backbone of India’s democracy, and the courts have made it clear that reservations based on religion are untenable. As the Maharashtra elections loom, it is up to voters to see through these political gimmicks. Will they choose leaders who promise the impossible or those who adhere to the principles of governance and constitutional integrity? The answer will be clear on November 23.
