Politics of quota is problem, not reservation: Bhagwat
New Delhi, Sep 19: Asserting that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) always supported reservation system, its chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said that reservation was not a problem, but the problem was the politics of reservation.
"RSS completely supports the reservation given by the Constitution to remove social stigmas. The decision as to how long reservation should continue, that has to be taken by those for whom reservation has been granted. Whenever they feel it is not necessary, they will decide.
"Till then it should continue, this has been the RSS' stand since the inception of the system and will continue to be so," Bhagwat said during interactive session on the concluding day of his three-day lecture series here.
"Reservation is not a problem, the problem is the politics of reservation. An organ of the society is lagging behind, it is a result of our doing. To cure this 1000-year-old malady, we have to bend for 100-150 years, I don't think that is an expensive deal," he said.
His latest assertion is in contrast with his 2015 public remarks calling for a review of reservation policies.
Refusing to comment on the Supreme Court's verdict "diluting" the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Bhagwat stressed the need for effectively implementing the law.
"Atrocities (on Dalits) do happen. That is why this law was made. But the law should be properly implemented and should not be misused. It is a fact that the law has not been properly implemented and also it has been misused," said Bhagwat adding that law alone was not sufficient and social harmony was essential to prevent the atrocities.
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Stalin claims DMK secured 1.54 crore votes
Chennai (PTI): DMK president M K Stalin on Tuesday, in a veiled reference to the TVK, claimed that the party that won additional constituencies has gained only 17.43 lakh more votes than the DMK.
He was referring to the April 23 Assembly polls where the DMK and its allies secured 74 seats, with the Dravidian party netting 59 constituencies.
In a statement, Stalin said, "the percentage difference in votes between us and them is just 3.52 per cent," in an apparent reference to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kahzagam emerged victorious in the polls, the results of which were announced on Monday.
Claiming that the DMK alliance has secured 1.54 crore votes, Stalin said, "I consider each and every one of your votes as an invaluable token of trust".
Stating that DMK has been in power several times, he said "there is no victory we have not seen and there is no defeat we have not faced".
"Whether in victory or defeat, those who regard them equally and continue their journey toward their ideals are the comrades of the party", he said adding "you are the lifeblood and roots of the movement".
"The harvest of 1.54 crore votes is the fruit of your commitment", he said.
"What return can I offer for your hard work? With the feeling of being the chief worker, we will continue our journey," the DMK chief added.
Stalin said "if we are the ruling party, we will formulate schemes for the people. If we are the opposition party, we will fight for the people's demands. In that regard, now as a strong opposition party, we will continue to work for the people".
Asserting that the DMK will continue the journey of taking forward the policies of the century-old great Dravidian movement, protecting race, language, and nation, the DMK leader said "in our journey, I will not leave anyone behind. We will win again".
