The BSP and the JD(U) on Monday closed ranks to slam LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s remarks on reservation.
The BSP and the JD(U) on Monday closed ranks to slam LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s remarks on reservation. BSP chief Mayawati termed the remark reflective of the discriminatory “Manuvadi” mindset of upper castes. JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, on the other hand, said that the architect of the Indian Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar, had not suggested a “limit of 10 years for reservations in education and employment”.
The BSP supremo said: “What Sumitra Mahajan has said on review of caste-based reservation in Ahmedabad raises doubt that it is an outcome of Manuvadi mentality.” She added that “it is well known that when those having the narrow and dangerous mentality of the RSS speak about review, it amounts to ending this facility”. “Even before the issue of dalit youth Rohith Vemula being forced to commit suicide because of casteist harassment could die down, a lady holding a high constitutional post issuing this statement has added fuel to the fire,” Ms Mayawati said. Ms Mahajan had on Saturday said, “I am not against reservations. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had put the cap on reservation for 10 years thinking that by that time we will be able to create such a society in independent India that everybody will come on the same level.” She had elaborated while speaking to reporters after a conference of presiding officers of Parliament and state legislatures that after every 10 years Parliament extends reservations for another 0 years.
