In the midst of Bihar Assembly election, the “idea” of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to review the reservation policy, has put Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in a tight spot. Contending that quota has been used for political ends, Bhagwat suggested setting up an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long. BJP has rushed to distance itself from Bhagwat saying that the party was not in favour of any reconsideration of the reservation policy.
Advocating quota review, Bhagwat said, “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.”
Acting swiftly on Bhagwat, RJD chief Lalu Prasad dared RSS and BJP to end the reservation policy. “You people are talking about terminating the reservation policy. We will increase the reservation percentage for different communities in proportion to their population. If you have drunk “<g data-gr-id="26">Mayee</g> ka <g data-gr-id="27">dudh</g>” (mother’s milk), show us after getting it terminated. You will come to know who has what strength,” Lalu said in <g data-gr-id="30">message</g> on Twitter.
“We should have <g data-gr-id="29">integral</g> approach of welfare for all. It is sensible to realise that my interest lies in larger national interest. <g data-gr-id="28">Government</g> also has to be sensitive to these issues that there should not be any agitation for them,” Bhagwat told Sangh mouthpiece “Organiser”.
“We believe, form a committee of people concerned for the interest of the whole nation and committed for social equality, including some representatives from the society, they should decide which categories require reservation and for how long,” Bhagwat said.