Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has sparked a war of words over his statement calling for a review of the reservation system. While some parties like Congress have backed Bhagwat on the issue, several others like Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Janata Dal United (JDU) have voiced their opinion against any such move.
Some members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have also expressed their opinion against any such move, saying there is a lot of discrimination in the society.
Leading the charge against review of reservation system was RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who dared the RSS and the BJP to temper with the quota system, and face the wrath of the Dalit and the backward community.
Taking to Twitter, the former Bihar chief minister said, “The RSS and the BJP may try to make all coordinated attempts to create an environment to end reservation, but 80% Dalit and backward population of this country will give them a strong response.”
Meanwhile, BJP leader Udit Raj also voiced his opinion against the statement of the RSS chief, saying “people who talk about review have not seen atrocities and discrimination”.
“There is lot of discrimination in the society. Review can happen only when the system is changed. People who talk about review have not seen atrocities and discrimination. People don’t treat Dalits with respect, how can there be a review?” said the BJP leader.
The RSS chief had on Sunday said that the reservation has been used for political ends. He suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.
“Interest groups are formed because we have certain aspirations in democracy. At the same time, we should remember that through interest groups we should not strive to address those aspirations at the cost of others,” he said.
“We should have integral approach of welfare for all. It is sensible to realise 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,” Bhagwat told Sangh mouthpiece “Organiser” and “Panchjanya” in an interview.
He also pitched for constitution of a committee with representatives from the civil society to go into the issue.
