CPI(M) slams Bhagwat's quota remarks

Lashing out at RSS chief over its chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on the quota issue, CPI(M) today charged that the outfit wants to "perpetuate caste oppression" that continues in our country.
"There are clear indications that what they (RSS) want is perpetuation of 'varn vyavastha' or the existing caste system, which is something they have all along supported. And they want India to be governed by laws of Manu.
"That is why the people of the country will have to be very vigilant. Because they (RSS) are not only rabidly communal, but also rabidly anti-social justice... They would like to perpetuate the caste oppression that continues to linger in our country," alleged CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the party's two- day politburo meeting which began here today, Yechury also reiterated that Left parties will contest the upcoming Bihar polls as an independent block.
They will campaign on the three slogans of defeating BJP, rejecting the "anti-people" policies of the state government over the last 10 years and strengthening Left outfits in the Assembly, he said.
"People of Bihar require pro-people policies. And that the Left alternative can provide. For the first time after a decade, the Left is together going to the people of Bihar with a clear-cut agenda and a pro-people policy direction," Yechury added.

In an interview to RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' on September 21, Bhagwat had pitched for a review of the quota policy -- contending that it has been used for political ends -- and suggested that an apolitical committee be set up to examine who needs such benefits and for how long.
BJP, however, had distanced itself from the RSS chief, insisting it was against any such review.