Azam Khan slams RSS for trying to 'eliminate' reservations

Image
Press Trust of India Rampur (UP)
Last Updated : Jan 22 2017 | 5:57 PM IST
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan today lashed out at the RSS charging the saffron outfit with trying to "eliminate" reservations and "disregarding" the Constitution.
Khan said the Constitution contains specific and extremely clear provisions for reservations alleging "it is the agenda of RSS to disown and disregard the Constitution and rewrite another script according to its wishes".
RSS's publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya on Friday kicked up a row with remarks favouring a review of the reservation policy, saying even the architect of the Constitution B R Ambedkar had not favoured its continuance in perpetuity, comments that could be potentially damaging for BJP in elections to five state assemblies.
Under attack from various corners over the comments made by its leaders over reservation to backward classes, the RSS had distanced itself from such views including a statement by Vaidya purportedly favouring a review of the quota system, saying it does "not agree" with his "personal views".
The UP minister for urban development told mediapersons that "RSS happens to be a well stretched political organisation and its claim of being a social one is a total farce and it presumes that if Constitution would not exist then the reservation provisions would disappear automatically".
"When RSS carries a clear majority in Lok Sabha and the prime minister too is from their cadre then why they are not presenting a resolution on said count," Khan asked.
He added "Let them dare to present a resolution favouring withdrawal of reservation provisions only then they would come to realise that how many of their own parliamentarians come forward to support it".
He said such a move would be a "finishing point" for the saffron outfit.
Azam also attacked BSP supremo Mayawati for terming Samajwadi Party as an organisation of criminals alleging "she has no right to speak that way because BSP contains people whose even mention is extremely painful and shameful".
The cabinet minister reminded Mayawati that "during her regime doctors sent behind the bars were later eliminated there. Hence what is the sense in her allegation against us. It is merely to gain political mileage".
Khan also advised Mayawati to seriously reflect on the resignation of leader of the opposition in UP assembly Swami Prasda Maurya and the grounds for his action mentioned by him.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 22 2017 | 5:57 PM IST

Next Story