Home Minister Amit Shah, on Tuesday, sought to clear air on a viral deep fake video in which he was seen announcing the curtailment of reservation rights of SCs, STs and OBCs by playing the actual video and the doctored one.
According to media reports, in his original speech, from which the doctored video was made, Shah had said if the BJP came to power, they would end unconstitutional Muslim reservation and this right would be given to the SCs, STs and OBCs of Telangana. A similar reservation was scrapped in Karnataka by the former BJP government in the state.
"Giving quota on religious lines is unfair and cannot be allowed. We have already removed it in Karnataka. This was what I had said in the video," Shah said, addressing a press conference.
In the deep fake video, this statement has been distorted to say that the BJP will scrap all reservations.
He said the Congress is spreading misinformation that the BJP will end reservations after crossing 400 seats, and clarified that such claims are baseless. "I want to make it clear that the BJP is a supporter of reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs and will always play its role as protector."
Shah said the frustration of Congress has reached to such a level that they have started spreading fake videos.
“Today a prominent leader of the Congress party is facing a criminal offence. This action is indicative of their frustration and disappointment. Ever since Rahul Gandhi took charge of the Congress, he has been working to take the level of politics to a new low. I believe that the attempt to get public support by circulating fake videos is condemnable and should never be done by any major party in Indian politics," he said.
Addresses the Prajwal Revanna sex scandal
On the controversy surrounding the explicit video clips of NDA candidate from Hassan and grandson of JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna, allegedly sexually abusing several women, the BJP leader said the BJP has always stood with women.
“BJP's stand is clear that we stand with the 'Matr Shakti' of the country. I want to ask Congress, whose government is there? The government is of Congress party. Why they have not taken any action till now? We do not have to take action on this as this is a law and order issue of the state, state government has to take action on it.”
“We are in favor of the investigation and our partner JD(S) has also announced to take action against it. Today there is a meeting of their core committee and steps will be taken," he said.
