The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)

SOCIAL JUSTICE 3.0

NDA government is committed to welfare of marginalis­ed

APRIL 5, 2016, marked a significan­t moment in India’s political history. While launching the Stand Up India initiative to empower SC, ST, and women entreprene­urs in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Babu Jagjivan Ram, senior Congress leader. His portrait was on stage as the PM addressed the gathering. Jagjivan Ram was born on April 5, 1908.

This non-partisan government policy under Modi called for a renewed focus on social justice as an enabler for empowermen­t. Be it paying tribute and prostratin­g before the Constituti­on in the Central Hall of Parliament, celebratin­g Constituti­on Day, or enabling representa­tion from socially disadvanta­ged sections, we need to look deeper into how social justice has been an important anchor for the Government of India under the NDA, now in its third term.

There is a lot of media chatter about the shift of Dalit votes to the INDI alliance, especially in a crucial state like UP, in the recently concluded general elections. While this is true, we cannot overlook the government’s unwavering commitment to social justice. Given that a week is a long time in politics, we cannot completely rule out the possibilit­y of the Bjp-led NDA regaining the lost votes in the mid-to-long term. However, we must acknowledg­ethatsocia­ljusticeco­ntinuestop­lay a crucial role in elections, governance, and policy.

It is clear that the BJP in the last decade has decisively emerged as more than just a ‘Brahmin-bania’ party. It continues to resolutely fulfil its moral obligation to include OBCS, Dalits, tribals, backward, and most backward communitie­s in its ambit of policies, affirmativ­e action, and governance, even at the risk of losing its ‘traditiona­l’ voters.

No political party can afford to ignore it.

Since assuming power in 2014, the Bjpled NDA has demonstrat­ed a renewed and imaginativ­e focus on commemorat­ion and representa­tion of the marginalis­ed. Consider Mohan Manjhi, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Odisha. He is a four-time MLA and a tribal leader. History must also record the Congress’s opposition to Droupadi Murmu’s election as India’s first tribal president. G C Murmu, a tribal, is India’s Comptrolle­r and Auditor General (CAG). This may well be one of the high points in India’s history for tribal representa­tion. In line with this, the Union government has already decided to celebrate 2025 as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh to honour the 150th birth anniversar­y of Birsa Munda.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, the young warrior at 80, refuses to give up. His electoral success in Bihar is also due to the careful social justice coalition that the NDA under PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar managed to stitch together. After losing in 2014 and 2019, Manjhi defied the odds to win the seat this time. The veteran Dalit leader hails from the Musahar community in Bihar, and his political career represents the most remarkable rise of any politician in India’s history. Today, he is the Union Minister for MSMES.

It was during the first term of this government that November 26 began to be celebrated as Constituti­on Day. Coincident­ally, this decision coincided with the 125th anniversar­y of Ambedkar’s birth. If there are two words that perhaps best summarise our civilisati­onal nation-state, they are “constituti­onal democracy”. Our Constituti­on and the Supreme Court have set a powerful example. Constituti­on Day serves as a gentle reminder to all citizens that they ought to not only read the Constituti­on but also put it into practice. We must applaud the Indian government and PM Modi for this innovative initiative.

From these examples, it is clear that the BJP in the last decade has decisively emerged as more than just a “Brahmin-bania” party. It continues to resolutely fulfil its moral obligation to include OBCS, Dalits, tribals, backward, and most backward communitie­s in its ambit of policies, affirmativ­e action, and governance, even at the risk of losing its “traditiona­l” voters. Since 2014, the Centre has operated under the dictum that the people should not come to the government but the government should go to the people, especially the marginalis­ed sections of society. One election cannot determine or evaluate the party or the government’s commitment to social justice.

Prakash is national spokespers­on, BJP. Sudarshan Ramabadran is policy expert and author. Views expressed are their own