'Ensure end of caste system first': Athawale calls reservation constitutional right
New Delhi: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale asserted that reservation is a "constitutional right" and dismissed calls for its abolition as "unconstitutional" during a press conference on Saturday. Speaking at the conference, Athawale stated, "Reservation cannot be removed because it is our constitutional right." The remarks come amid protests at Jantar Mantar and social media campaigns advocating for the end of reservation.
According to PTI, Athawale explained that reservation, initially extended to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, has since been broadened to encompass other groups, including the Economically Weaker Sections. He argued that no justification exists for discontinuing the system, as "all needy groups are benefiting from it."
Athawale emphasized that while Article 17 of the Constitution prohibits untouchability, caste-based discrimination and atrocities against Scheduled Caste communities persist, particularly in rural areas. He maintained that the Republican Party of India (A), an ally of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance since 2014, would not entertain the idea of scrapping reservation once caste discrimination is eradicated.
The demonstration called for at Jantar Mantar was organized by the Reservation Hatao Andolan, an Instagram page that has gained significant traction by employing protest-mobilization tactics reminiscent of the Cockroach Janta Party.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
