The BJP and Union Ministers lauded the Supreme Court's verdict upholding the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota on Monday, saying it is a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his "mission" to provide social justice to the country's poor.
Welcoming the judgment, Union Minister Amit Shah said, "With time, rules and laws should also change".
He said some people had challenged it but "I am happy that the Constitutional bench of Supreme court has approved and continued with the EWS reservation, and accepted that it is fully constitutional." The home Minister said people have welcomed Modi-government's decision on EWS reservation.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Supreme Court's decision is a slap on the face of parties with vested interests who have tried to sow discord amongst citizens with their propaganda.
"The amendment is valid and in no manner alters the basic structure of the constitution... will open up new doors of opportunities for economically weaker sections, especially in admission to HEIs and central govt. jobs, further strengthen social justice as well as the spirit of 'Sabka Sath and Sabka Vikas' ," Pradhan said in a series of tweets. Another union minister Giriraj Singh said the apex court verdict is welcomed by those who believe in the Constitution.
“ Congress and other opposition parties are attacking constitutional institutions today in a manner that will pose a threat to the democracy of India,” said Singh. BJP general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh praised the court order and tweeted,” Another big credit for PM Narendra Modi's vision of Gareeb Kalyan.
A big boost in the direction of social justice." Echoing the view, another BJP general secretary C T Ravi said the verdict is yet another victory for Modi in his mission to provide social justice to the country's poor.
The ruling party also slammed Congress spokesperson and its SC-ST department head Udit Raj for his allegation following verdict that apex court is "casteist", saying it has exposed the opposition party's "anti-poor" mindset.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said contempt of court proceedings should be initiated against Congress leader Udit Raj, who dubbed SC verdict “casteist”. Bhatia termed Raj’s remarks as scurrilous and asked Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to clarify whether this is stand of his party too.