As the Opposition parties hit out at RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comment calling for a dialogue on reservation, the Sangh said an unnecessary controversy was being created. It said the RSS had made it clear several times in the past that it was in full support of the reservation for the SC/ST, OBCs and economically weaker sections.
RSS spokesperson Arun Kumar said Bhagwat had talked about having a continuous dialogue on various issues before the society. It was in the same manner he asked for discussion on a sensitive issue like reservation.
Bhagwat, while speaking at a programme in Delhi, had said discussions should be done on reservations in a harmonious way and by those who are for or against it.
His reference to reservation again sparked off a controversy as opposition parties like the Congress and the BSP hitting out at the Sangh. BSP chief Mayawati said there was no need for discussion on reservations as it was done on the basis of constitutional provisions based on human needs. Tampering with it is uncalled for and injustice. “It shows the anti-reservation mindset of the Sangh,” she said.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Bhagwat's statement shows the anti-dalit and anti-backward face of the RSS-BJP. “The conspiracy to end reservation for the poor and the policy of changing the Constitution have been uncovered,” he added.
In 2015, Bhagwat's comment during an interview to the Sangh mouthpiece that there should be a review on reservations had kicked up a massive row. As the controversy had erupted just before the Bihar elections, it became a rallying point for the non-BJP parties. The BJP had to pay dearly, even as the JD(U) and the RJD had contested the elections together. Since then, both the Sangh and the BJP have been very cautious whenever referring to reservations.
The Sangh had made it clear in the past that it was in favour of the reservation and they would continue till the time the communities wanted it.
As elections are due in states like Mahrashatra, Haryana, and Jharkhand in the next few months, the opposition parties are likely to use Bhagwat's comments for political gains.
