Reservation Bill: Landmark moment in nation’s history, says PM Modi

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 with 323 members voting in favour, to make way for 10 per cent reservation to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the general category in government jobs and avenues of education. The bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha, was cleared by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet on Monday.

The bill will now be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The government has extended the winter session for Rajya Sabha by one more day to get the bill passed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the landmark bill and said that it will set into motion the process to achieve an effective measures that ensures justice for all sections of society.

Here are some of the major reactions on the quota bill:

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The passage of The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha is a landmark moment in our nation’s history.

It sets into motion the process to achieve an effective measure that ensures justice for all sections of society.

I thank MPs from all the parties who supported The Constitution (One Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha.

I also appreciate those MP colleagues who enriched today’s debate with their views.

We are resolutely committed to the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.’

It is our endeavour to ensure that every poor person, irrespective of caste or creed gets to lead a life of dignity, and gets access to all possible opportunities.

2. Rajnath Singh

It's a historic bill. Those people who couldn't get the benefits of reservation till now will be benefited. It had been a demand of people since a long time. This bill has been brought in interest of the nation. I'm assured that it'll be passed in Rajya Sabha also.

3. Sumitra Mahajan

I felt good as my children used to ask me 'what about us, what about economically weak, will only caste matter?'. Many questions were answered today. It'll be very beneficial in the long run.

4. Amit Shah

I wholeheartedly congratulate PM Modi for the passage of the bill which will fulfill the aspirations of the people.

5. Randeep Singh Surjewala

The truth is that after four years and eight months, the Modi government has "suddenly woken up" to the woes of economically poor as it "faces imminent defeat" in the 2019 elections.

"Modi ji, the Congress will support reservation for the poor. But, who and how will people get the benefit of reservation in jobs when no jobs are being created?"

6. Mayawati

BSP's demand to provide reservation to the economically backward sections in general category is approved by the Cabinet in an immature way and without preparation. Our party, however, welcomes the decision though it appears to be an election stunt and political gimmick of the BJP ahead of Lok Sabha polls," she said in a statement.

"It would have been better had the BJP taken the decision much earlier... The government is now on its way out."

7. N Chandrababu Naidu

We support the 10 per cent reservation for the economically backward".

''At the same time, we seek inclusion of Valmiki community in the ST list, washermen community in the SC list and extension of reservation for Kapus under the backward castes quota".