RSS propaganda chief calls for ending caste based reservations

Stirs up controversy ahead of UP polls as opposition leaders pounce on his comments

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) prachar pramukh, or propaganda chief, Manmohan Vaidya today called for an end to caste based reservations in jobs and educational institutions, and advocated equal opportunity and education for all.

At the Jaipur Literature Festival, Vaidya said that BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution of India, had also argued against unending continuation of reservations. But Vaidya justified reservations only for Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes, which he said have faced discrimination.

Vaidya's comments suggested that the Sangh does not favour reservations for Muslims and Other Backward Classes, or OBCs, as these would lead to tensions in