BJP’s ‘400 beyond’ slogan disappears as SC/ST, OBC fear nixing of reservation

Amidst fervent campaigning for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP finds itself embroiled in controversy over allegations of harbouring intentions to alter the basic fabric of the Indian Constitution, particularly regarding reservations for marginalized communities, casting a shadow over its electoral prospects and sparking widespread speculation and concern.

At the heart of the storm lies a series of statements and actions from key figures within the BJP ranks, fuelling suspicions and apprehensions among voters, especially those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The issue gained traction when Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, a senior cabinet colleague of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was compelled to reiterate the party's commitment to upholding reservations and preserving the sanctity of the Constitution.

However, the assurances from Singh and other BJP leaders have failed to assuage mounting anxieties, with lingering doubts persisting among the electorate. The spectre of a potential erosion of reservation policies has loomed large, threatening to erode the BJP's support base, particularly among OBCs, whose backing has been instrumental in the party's electoral successes since 2009, as per a report in The Wire.

Central to the controversy are remarks made by various BJP luminaries, suggesting a concerted push for a substantial electoral victory to facilitate constitutional amendments. Figures such as Anantkumar Hegde, a BJP MP from Karnataka, stirred the pot further by espousing a "400-seat target to amend the constitution," sending shockwaves through political circles.

The ripples of discontent spread wider as Jyoti Mirdha, a recent defector from the Congress, insinuated that a landslide victory for the BJP would pave the way for constitutional changes. Despite subsequent attempts to temper the rhetoric, the damage had been done, with suspicions deepening and trust wavering among the electorate.

Adding fuel to the fire are historical antecedents that underscore the RSS/BJP's contentious relationship with the Indian Constitution, particularly regarding reservations. The RSS's ideological affinity for ancient Hindu texts like the Manusmriti has long fuelled speculation about its intentions regarding modern constitutional principles, including reservations. Critics point to past critiques of the Constitution by RSS mouthpieces, which dismissed it as lacking in "Bharatiya" essence and advocated for the primacy of ancient Hindu laws.

Moreover, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on revisiting reservations have only served to exacerbate existing tensions and fuel apprehensions among marginalized communities. Analysts contend that such sentiments played a pivotal role in the BJP's electoral setback in Bihar, underscoring the potency of reservation-related issues in shaping political fortunes.

The confluence of these factors has created a perfect storm for the BJP, with the spectre of reservations emerging as a decisive factor in the electoral calculus. The party finds itself caught between the imperative of assuring its core supporters of its commitment to reservations and the lingering spectre of constitutional amendments, which threatens to alienate crucial segments of the electorate.

Amid swirling speculation and mounting pressure, the BJP faces a daunting challenge in navigating the treacherous waters of identity politics and ideological entrenchment. The stakes are high as the party grapples with the spectre of a resurgent opposition and an increasingly restive electorate, clamouring for clarity and reassurance on the crucial issue of reservations.