Party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that the party does not comment on statements of constitutional post holders, but its stand is clear. “Yes. Sab ka <g data-gr-id="21">saath</g>, sab ka <g data-gr-id="22">vikas</g> is an article of faith with us. It is not a slogan,” he said, adding that the party was for a “non-discriminatory inclusive approach”.
Singhvi recalled that when the Congress-led UPA was in power at the Centre, it had set up the Sachar Committee which looked into the socio-economic status of the minorities.
“I don’t think anyone in the Congress is apologetic about it,” he said. The Vice-President had recently demanded “affirmative action” to address the problems of identity and security confronting the Muslims in the country, in line with Modi government’s official objective of ‘sabka <g data-gr-id="24">sath</g>, <g data-gr-id="25">sabka</g> <g data-gr-id="26">vikas</g>’.
The comments were widely criticised by the VHP and the saffron party.
However, on being asked about RSS reportedly raising the issue of Ram Mandir in its crucial three-day meeting of top ministers and BJP leaders, which began on Wednesday, Singhvi said that the matter does not account for much importance.