Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National President Mayawati has adopted a very tough stance amid the debate on the demand for change in the reservation system and implementation of reservation on economic basis at Delhi's historic Jantar Mantar. The BSP chief said in clear words that any activity being carried out against the reservation given to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the Constitution of India is not at all appropriate in the interest of the country.
Mayawati reminded that SC, ST and OBC communities have faced social discrimination, exploitation, deprivation and deep inequality for centuries. Keeping this historical background in mind, the makers of the Constitution had made the provision of reservation for the upliftment of these classes. According to him, linking reservation only with economic weakness would be like ignoring the bitter truth of long-standing social and historical inequalities.
Serious questions raised on the demand for reservation on economic basis
Strongly opposing the demand for reservation on economic basis arising under the reservation reform movement, Mayawati said that the system of reservation on economic basis is already implemented in the country. But despite this, the full benefits of this system are not reaching the needy and poor families. For this, Mayawati directly blamed the corruption, negligence and administrative flaws prevalent in the government system.
The BSP chief believes that many types of public welfare schemes are being run by the central and state governments to eliminate poverty in the country. If the benefits of these schemes are not reaching the last person, then the problem lies in the implementation of the government policies. In such a situation, weakening the current constitutional reservation system or demanding changes in it cannot be the right solution to any problem.
Emphasis on rights and social justice of SC, ST and OBC
The BSP supremo stressed that even after decades of independence, a large section of the SC, ST and OBC classes are still struggling with poverty, social discrimination and other inequalities. He argued that until caste inequality and discrimination is completely eliminated from the society, the role of constitutional protection and reservation for these classes will remain extremely important.
He appealed to the Central and various state governments not to give any kind of protection to the elements opposing reservation and weakening constitutional rights. Along with this, he urged all political parties and common citizens not to do politics on this very sensitive issue. Referring to the thoughts of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Mayawati stressed the need to completely eliminate casteist mentality from the society.
Country's politics heated up due to Jantar Mantar protest
It is noteworthy that recently some organizations and protesters had demonstrated at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding reservation only on economic basis instead of caste based reservation. After this demonstration, sharp statements regarding the reservation system have started in the political circles of the country. The protesters say that the existing reservation policy should be reviewed and priority should be given to the economic situation.
Amidst this environment, Mayawati took the lead and made it clear that any attempt to attack the constitutional rights of the deprived sections will not be tolerated. Reservation is not just a means to remove poverty but is an important constitutional right to achieve social equality.
Questions raised on the role of Rahul Gandhi and Congress
In her statement, Mayawati not only targeted the protesters but also directly targeted the Congress and its senior leader Rahul Gandhi. Raising the question, he said that when the protest was going on at Jantar Mantar regarding the reservation system, then why did Rahul Gandhi or any big Congress leader not go there and clarify his stand? Mayawati called this a step to question the anti-reservation mentality of Congress and its policies.
Mayawati's message is clear, BSP will not bow down
The BSP chief has given a clear message with his tough stance that his party will strongly oppose any change in constitutional reservation that affects the rights of Dalits, backward classes and tribals. He has demanded from the governments that they should implement the provisions given in the Constitution with full sincerity so that the objective of social justice can be fulfilled.
After the reservation reform movement, reactions are now coming from various political parties, in such a situation, due to this aggressive stance of Mayawati, the debate on this sensitive issue is likely to intensify in the coming days.