Digital Desk: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has condemned the recent protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, which were against the reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the Constitution. He also targeted the demand for reservation on economic basis. He said that no such step should be taken regarding the reservation system, which would weaken the constitutional efforts to create an egalitarian society and a developed and respected nation.
Mayawati said that a provision of reservation was made in the Constitution for the SC, ST and OBC communities who have suffered caste discrimination and inhumanity for centuries. Referring to the statement of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, he said that renouncing casteism is the biggest proof of true patriotism.
Mayawati raised questions on the demand for reservation on economic basis
Mayawati raised many questions on the demand for reservation on economic basis. He said that this demand should be for effective implementation of poverty alleviation programs by the governments.
Mayawati said a large amount of government resources are spent by both the central and state governments on poverty alleviation programmes. Due to corruption and systemic deficiencies, not all benefits of these programs reach the intended beneficiaries.
Mayawati raised questions on the reservation system based on economic basis. He said that this method does not reach the poor general category families and is instead seen by them as “a fraud”.
Serious allegations against government system
Mayawati alleged that due to corruption and caste-minded government system, the constitutional provisions of reservation could not be implemented effectively.
He said that for this reason people of SC, ST and OBC communities are facing problems like poverty, caste hatred, exploitation, atrocities and discrimination even after decades of independence.
The BSP chief said security and shelter should be the last thing any government provides to anti-reservation persons. He also refused to get trapped in cheap politics related to reservation and said that it is the duty of all political parties and the general public to avoid such politics.
Questions raised regarding Rahul Gandhi's protest
Mayawati also mentioned the strike by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said that on the same day, Rahul Gandhi had sat on a dharna for several hours outside the Parliament police station demanding registration of an FIR in the case of a victim and Congress had no objection to it.
According to Mayawati, a demonstration was taking place near Jantar Mantar demanding abolition of caste-based reservation for Dalits and exploited classes. He raised the question why Rahul Gandhi or any Congress leader did not reach there and try to convince the protesters.
The BSP supremo called it an indication of Congress's alleged 'anti-reservation mentality' towards these classes.
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