RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who had recently come in for criticism for his reported suggestion for a review of the reservation policy, on Wednesday batted for quota saying it is needed as long as social discrimination remains in society.
The Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh chief’s remarks on quota in a recent interview had drawn criticism and the grand alliance of parties led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad had used his remarks to rally around the backward castes.
Quoting Bhagwat as saying at an event today, an RSS spokesperson said he observed that only when discrimination is completely removed from the society then reservation can be stopped but it has to be conveyed by those who have been the victims of social discrimination.
After its massive defeat in Bihar, some Bihar BJP leaders had said that Bhagwat’s remarks were used by rival parties to polarise the poor sections of the society in their favour. However, RSS had clarified that Bhagwat was quoted out of context and the Hindutva organisation is in support of reservation.