Monday, September 21, 2015

Row erupts over RSS chief's remarks on quota

READ MORE RSS chief| RJD chief| Ram Madhav| pension| Mohan Bhagwat
NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on reservations sparked a controversy ahead of the Bihar elections with RJD chief Lalu Prasad challenging BJP to undo quotas before the Sangh clarified that Bhagwat had not sought dismantling of the constitutional provisions for Dalits, tribals and backwards. With the Bihar poll battle heating up, BJP's rival alliance pounced on Bhagwat's interview to RSS-aligned weekly Panchajanya in which he said a non-political committee should examine which categories required reservations and for what length of time. Lalu's poll partner JD(U) also slammed Bhagwat's comments as an assault on the Constitution.
As the controversy gained momentum, RSS issued a statement that Bhagwat had sought extension of reservation benefits to all weaker sections. "The Sarsanghchalak did not at any point say reservations should end. His comments were intended to highlight the need to ensure reservations reached those who need them," senior RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya said.
READ ALSO: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat pitches for review of reservation policy

In response to a question on one rank, one pension, Bhagwat said interest groups should not pursue their agenda at the cost of others. "It is sensible to realize that my interest lies in larger national interest. Government also has to be sensitive to these issues that there should not be any agitations for them," he said.
Asked about policies that complement RSS's view of "integral humanism", Bhagwat said reservations for socially backward classes could be a right example as these have been politicized since inception and were not being implemented as envisaged by the Constitution. "We believe, form a committee of people genuinely concerned for the interest of the whole nation and committed for social equality, including some representatives from society, they should decide which categories require reservation and for how long," he said.
However, both RJD and JDU pounced upon Bhagwat's remarks to dub RSS and BJP anti-quota. JD(U)'s K C Tyagi said the RSS chief had revealed the real mindset of RSS and BJP.
The accusation just ahead of Bihar polls led the BJP to clarify that it was fully committed to reservations. "The BJP does not favour any reconsideration of the reservation policy," telecom minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
Party general secretary Ram Madhav said Bhagwat's comments were being deliberately twisted for partisan ends. "Sarsanghchalak has not called for any change in the existing scheme of reservations. He has merely said that fresh claims for quota benefits needed to be examined by a group of non-political experts. What can be objectionable about that," he said.
READ ALSO: Gujarat HC upholds mobile internet curfew imposed during Patel stir
The call for a committee of politically neutral persons to examine criteria for reservations is, in fact, part of a 1981 RSS resolution displayed prominently on the organization's website. The resolution, while supporting reservation as a means to achieving a more equal society, says, "The committee should also recommend necessary concessions to the other economically backward sections with a view to ensuring their speedy development.
"The ABPS (all India representative council of RSS) agrees with the prime minister's (Indira Gandhi) viewpoint that reservations cannot be a permanent arrangement, that these crutches will have to be done away with as soon as possible, and that because of this arrangement, merit and efficiency should not be allowed to be adversely affected. The Sabha appeals to all other political parties and leaders as well to support this viewpoint and initiate measures to find a solution to the problem."
READ ALSO: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat calls for unity among Hindus
The Sangh clarification on Monday sought to cap the political controversy over reservations at a time when BJP is seeking to balance its upper caste support in Bihar with an ambitious outreach to OBCs and the most backwards in a crucial contest where it has locked horns with OBC chieftains Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar. Sources said Bhagwat's remarks related to the argument - often raised even by reservation beneficiaries -- that quota benefits are cornered by some influential castes and need a second look to protect the really vulnerable.
The 1981 resolution supports reservations but expresses concern that quotas have been a "tool of power politics and election tactics" generating ill will and conflict in society.
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.
why reservation fail? who r responsible for this?who took more benefit from this?
why r lalu oppose RSS.? what to say wrong?
why reservation fail? who r responsible for this?who took more benefit from this?
why r lalu oppose RSS.? what to say wrong?lalu is king or gundo.why to speak them this way. this is not kingdom of you

No comments:

Post a Comment