NDA govt trying to cause hostility between Dalits, OBCs: Tejashwi

The RJD Tuesday accused the NDA government of "masterminding" the recent nationwide protest against amendment to the SC/ST Act to drive a wedge between the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the Other Backward Classes to fulfil the "RSS agenda" of reinforcing the varna system.

At a press conference in Patna after a meeting of senior party leaders, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav demanded that the SC/ST Act be included in the ninth schedule of the Constitution and the caste census data be made public by the Narendra Modi government.

"Bharat Bandh against the amendment to the SC/ST Act was masterminded by the BJP-RSS combine. It was a clever attempt to drive a wedge between the SC/ST and the OBC groups which is being understood by both the social segments," Yadav said.

The comment by the leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly came amid reports in a section of media that the shutdown on September 6 received support from upper castes and OBCs who, the reports said, are anxious over the law's misuse.

Yadav also said by passing a bill in Parliament the NDA government reversed the dilution of the SC/ST Act, but it left scope for tinkering in future.

"The strategy is in keeping with the RSS agenda of reinforcing the varna system wherein the SC/ST and the OBC groups shall have to live in a state of subjugation," he alleged.

The former Bihar Deputy chief minister said the legislation should be included in the ninth schedule of the Constitution to prvent any further tinkering with the law.

"Tamil Nadu had included its reservation law in the schedule long back. If the BJP-led NDA has any real concern for the weaker sections it should accept this demand."