Prime Minister Narendra Modi said before every election there are vested groups who spread misinformation that BJP is planning to abolish reservations. (Photo: Reuters file)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clarified that his government does not have any plans to abolish caste-based reservations.

Modi said reservations cannot be abolished in India because the objectives of our Constitution and dreams of BR Ambedkar are still unfulfilled.

Rubbishing speculations that his government is waiting for an opportune time to abolish caste-based reservation, the prime minister said, "Reservation is here to stay. Let there be no doubts about it."

He was speaking during an interview to news agency ANI.

"It is the responsibility of every one of us to fulfil the dreams of BR Ambedkar and reservations are an important tool to achieve this," Modi said.

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Speaking about his government's priorities, he said the aim is to ensure holistic development for all. "The dreams of Babasaheb (BR Ambedkar) are the strength of this nation and we are committed to fulfilling them. Our mantra is 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'. To achieve this, it is most important to protect the rights of the poor, marginalised, downtrodden, Dalits, tribals and OBCs."

Taking an indirect dig at the Opposition, he said there are some vested groups who spread information that the BJP will abolish reservation and some sections of the media amplify it.

"Those who are constantly spreading canards on the issue and politicising it are the same people who have always crushed Babasaheb's dreams," Modi told ANI.

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He accused the Opposition of trying to "sow seeds of doubt and mistrust" among the "weaker sections" of society. "But, the people of India are wise and they will not believe in this propaganda," he said.

Attacking the Congress, and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in particular, he said the party had opposed the Mandal Commission in Parliament.

"I would request you all to see the kind of things our former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said about the Mandal Commission. On the floor of Parliament, he opposed it tooth and nail. The situation in his party is no different today," he said.

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