The Samajwadi Party on Sunday marked Reservation Day as ‘Samvidhan Maan Stambh Divas'( Constitutional Honour Pillar Day) at all district offices, including the party’s state headquarters in Lucknow.
SP National President Akhilesh Yadav attended the event at the Samajwadi Party state headquarters as the chief guest.
Akhilesh Yadav said that on this day, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, the revered ruler of Kolhapur, implemented reservation in the princely state of Kolhapur, fulfilling the vision of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He described the occasion as marking the beginning of the reservation system.
“The spirit of ‘social justice’ was put into practice on this day in the form of reservation, which, owing to the noble efforts of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, became the constitutional foundation for ensuring social justice as a public right and a fundamental principle of democracy in the country,” he said.
The SP president said, “What could be a more historic occasion than July 26 every year?” He added that the most effective example of translating this idea into reality was set by respected Shrimant Maharaj Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj, who implemented reservation on this day.
Yadav said the idea behind the observance was that the ‘Samvidhan Maan Stambh’, in the form of a ‘PDA Maan Stambh’, should continue to guide and inspire the party’s resolve to establish the rule of social justice. “Reservation will survive only if the Constitution survives. The Constitution is our shield and our armour. Only the Constitution can eliminate inequality, ensure quality and fulfil our ‘collective resolve’ to build a nation based on brotherhood,” he added.