Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 14 (ANI): Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks criticising the quota for minority contractors, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday defended the state government's reservation policy and said that they are also giving reservations to Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

'We are also giving reservation to SC/ST, our aim is to uplift those who are not financially capable and bring them into the mainstream, this is our intention. Congress party is paying attention to every section of the society, Congress government is also paying attention to every section of the society,' Shivakumar told reporters.

Earlier today in Hisar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Congress and said that his government is focusing on connectivity while ensuring welfare for the poor and social justice, fulfilling the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the aspirations of the Constitution's framers.

He criticized the Congress party for its treatment of Babasaheb Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system.

He remarked that after Babasaheb's passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas.

He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr. Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country.

'Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalized individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. The previous government treated SC, ST, and OBC communities as second-class citizens during its long tenure. Even after 70 years of independence, only 16% of rural households had tap water connections, disproportionately affecting SC, ST, and OBC communities. He shared that in the past 6-7 years, their government has provided tap water connections to over 12 crore rural households, raising the coverage to 80% of rural homes,' he added.

He expressed confidence that, with Babasaheb's blessings, tap water will reach every household. He also addressed the lack of toilets, which severely impacted SC, ST, and OBC communities and highlighted the government's efforts in constructing over 11 crore toilets, ensuring a life of dignity for the underprivileged.

Criticising the previous dispensation's rule, during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them.

He highlighted that under their government, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities.

PM Modi criticised the Congress party for turning the sacred Constitution into a mere tool for gaining power and remarked that whenever they faced a crisis of power, it crushed the Constitution.

He highlighted the Emergency period, during which the then Government undermined the spirit of the Constitution to retain power.

PM Modi emphasized that the essence of the Constitution is to ensure a uniform civil code for all, but the then Government never implemented it and pointed out the opposition to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, despite its alignment with the Constitution's principles.

'The Constitution provided for reservations for SC, ST, and OBC communities, but Congress turned it into a tool for appeasement. The recent reports of the present government in Karnataka granting reservations in government tenders based on religion, despite the Constitution not allowing such provisions. The appeasement policies have significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the society neglected, uneducated, and impoverished,' PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister pointed to the Waqf Act as the biggest evidence of the previous Government's flawed policies and criticised the Congress for claiming to work for the welfare of Muslims while failing to take meaningful actions.

'In 2013, just months before elections, Congress amended the Waqf Act to appease its vote bank, elevating it above several constitutional provisions.

'If the party truly cared for the Muslim community, they would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of their tickets to Muslim candidates, stating that their intentions were never aligned with the genuine welfare of Muslims, exposing their true nature.,' PM Modi said.

The Karnataka State Cabinet earlier on March 14 approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide a four percent reservation in tenders to minority contractors. (ANI)