BJP defends reservation policy despite RSS chief pitches for its review

AMN /

The BJP today said that it did not favour reconsideration of reservation policy. Briefing media in New Delhi, Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the BJP respects reservation policy as it is essential for the upliftment of STs, SCs and OBCs. He, however said there should be a debate how to extend the benefit of the reservation to those poor and backwards who have been left out.

Mr Prasad’s statement came in the wake of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks that there should be a review of the reservation policy. Contending that the policy has been used for political ends, Mr Bhagwat had suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long. His remarks had appeared in an interview published in Sangh Mouthpiece Organiser.

“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.

On the other hand, Congress leader and former Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari questioned the relevance of reservation in the 21st century. He told media in New Delhi that if it is required at all, the economic condition, should be the basis for the reservation and not the caste.