Congress chief accuses Modi government of undermining reservation policy

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Modi administration of indirectly dismantling India's reservation system through administrative measures rather than legislative repeal. Addressing the issue of unfilled government vacancies, Kharge argued that keeping positions open denies candidates from reserved categories their constitutional entitlements and opportunities for public sector employment.

The Congress chief highlighted what he described as a multi-pronged strategy to reduce the scope of reservation protections. Beyond vacant posts, Kharge pointed to the government's disinvestment programme affecting public sector undertakings and the growing reliance on contractual employment arrangements, both of which he contended shrink the number of permanent positions traditionally covered under reservation norms.

Kharge's remarks reflect ongoing tension between the Congress and the ruling government over implementation of reservation policies. The Congress has historically positioned itself as a custodian of India's affirmative action framework, which guarantees job quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in government employment.

The allegations underscore broader concerns within opposition parties about employment generation and job security in India's organised sector. Government data on vacancy rates in civil services and public sector institutions have periodically drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and civil rights groups monitoring implementation of constitutional reservation provisions.