Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the latter’s response to a Calcutta High Court order cancelling all Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued in the state after 2010.
Addressing an election rally in Barasat, Modi wondered if the Trinamool Congress would now “let loose its goons on judges" following unfavourable rulings.
“The court has exposed the treachery of the Trinamool Congress with the OBCs. The party snatched the rights of OBC youths to support its appeasement politics and vote jihad. The TMC has betrayed the OBCs of West Bengal,” he said.
The high court, in its crucial verdict on May 22, directed authorities to prepare a new list of OBCs in accordance with the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. Around five lakh OBC certificates are set to be cancelled following the court order.
The order has sparked a political debate with the chief minister asserting that she would not accept the judgement. She said the OBC reservation will continue in West Bengal, while accusing the BJP of conspiring to stall the quota by using central agencies.
Hitting out at Banerjee’s stand on the court verdict, Modi said: “It is quite evident that TMC doesn't like those who expose its treachery and lies. I am astonished to see how the party is questioning the judiciary. Don't they have any faith in the judiciary and our Constitution?”
“The way they are attacking judges is unprecedented. I would like to know whether the TMC would now let loose its goons on judges as they are exposed,” he said.
In its judgement, the division bench comprising justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha struck down several classes for reservation as OBCs given under the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.
It, however, clarified that the services of citizens of the struck down classes, who are already in service or have availed the benefit of reservation or have succeeded in any selection process of the state will not be affected by the order.
