New Delhi: The government on Monday virtually went against RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s diktat for a review of the reservation policy.
After Mr Bhagwat’s suggestions created a major political row, with the ruling BJP’s political opponents attacking it over the issue and RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav daring the Narendra Modi government to scrap quotas, Union minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad made it clear that the BJP was “not in favour of any reconsideration of the reservation policy.”
The issue could dent the BJP-led NDA’s political prospects in poll-bound Bihar where OBCs and dalits are a powerful vote bank. In an interview to the RSS mouthpiece Mr Bhagwat had pitched for a review of the reservation policy, contending it has been used for political ends and suggesting the setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.
As Mr Bhagwat’s suggestions created a political row, the RSS also swung into action to tone down its chief’s demand. In a statement issued on Monday, the RSS tried to clarify that Mr Bhagwat did not speak about the existing quota system but said everybody should try to ensure that all weaker sections reap its benefits, which was the aspiration of the makers of the Constitution.
