Quota agitations conspiracy against OBCs: Kushwaha

Surat: Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha today termed the quota agitations by various communities including the Jats in Haryana and Patels in Gujarat as a “conspiracy” against the OBCs.

Kushwaha was responding to questions on whether there was a need to review the reservation system in the light of agitations by Patels and Jats demanding inclusion in the OBC quota.

“Such agitations are underway in various parts of country as a part of a conspiracy against the OBC community. People who are not eligible for reservation and know that they will not be included in the OBC quota are still trying hard to get reservation. This is a conspiracy,” said the minister, who was here to attend a function of Kushwaha community.

“The government takes the decision to include a community under OBC quota based on assessment by the backward class commission. No such decision has been taken by the commission yet. The Supreme Court has also turned down Jats’ demand,” he said.

On the arrest of JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar in a sedition case, he said his innocence cannot be proved through “media trial”.

“No one is allowed to shout anti-India slogans. Police is doing its work to find the culprits. If Kanhaiya Kumar is innocent, then police will not take action and he will be released,” Kushwaha said.