'RSS pushing agenda to scrap reservation system through BJP'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today alleged that the RSS was attempting to push forward through the BJP-led government at the Centre, its plans to scrap the reservation system in the country.
"The recent statement of RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat seeking reviews of the reservation system and also RSS backed quota agitation by Patel community in Gujarat are part of this agenda," CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters here.
He alleged that the agitation in Gujarat, seeking reservation for the Patel community, was actually a stir with an aim to end this system with the backing of RSS.

CPI(M) questioned the 'silence' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on such a serious matter and said they would launch a massive campaign against this move.
RSS was pushing forward its declared agenda to end the system at a time when job reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has to be extended to private sector, he said.
Balakrishnan said many organisations like Sree Narayana Dharam Paripalana Sangham and Indian Union Muslim League which stood for reservation were keeping quiet on the matter.

"This is because of the fact that the creamy layer in the backward community has been exempted from reservation and these organisations represent the creamy layer, not the poor in that community," he said.

CPI(M) was of the view that the present reservation for jobs in the government sector and admission in educational institutions for SC, ST and Other backward sections have to continue.
"Not only that, the economically weak in the forward community also should be given reservation in jobs so that all the poor in the country would get justice," he said.
Attacking the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala, he alleged that the Public Distribution System (PDS) had collapsed in the state. There has been a 'drastic reduction' in the quantity of rice and wheat supplied to ration card holders, he said.

Balakrishnan said CPI(M) would oppose the move to introduce transfer of subsidy to ration card holders through bank accounts. "That will be end of the system in Kerala".
On the plantation workers strike, he said CPI(M) extends its support to them and alleged that government's 'indifferent attitude' was responsible for continuation of the strike.
"Government is hand in glove with planters in the state," he alleged.