Non-Political Committee Should Decide On Reservation: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat

Kolkata: Amid massive protests and violence by Jats in Haryana over quota, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has suggested that a non-political committee should be formed to decide on eligibility for reservation.

"Many people are demanding reservation. I feel a committee should be formed to decide who are eligible for reservation. The committee should be apolitical so that there are no vested interests," Mr Bhagwat told an interactive session of a Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata.

"Which section of the society should be brought forward, for how long they should be given reservation - a time bound program should be chalked out regarding it. The committee should be given powers for execution," he said.

Mr Bhagwat said a person not getting opportunity only because of his birth in a particular caste should not happen.

"There should be level playing field for everybody in the society. Everybody should get equal opportunities," Mr Bhagwat said when asked what would be his solution to the problem of reservation.

"But only because of someone's birth a person does not get the opportunity - this should not be the case. As long as this problem prevails this situation (reservation) will be there," he said.
 
Mr Bhagwat said after Independence, BR Ambedkar had stressed on economic independence and independence from social discrimination and said as long as the latter existed there would be the issue of reservation.

"As we live in the city, we may not be aware but this problem of social discrimination still exists. There should be a level playing field for everybody in terms of opportunities. We feel there should not be any social discrimination in the society," he said.

Mr Bhagwat's comment's comes in the backdrop of the Centre announcing the setting up of a committee under Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu to examine the quota demand by the Jat community in government jobs.

In September last year, Mr Bhagwat had suggested a review of the reservation policy.