Even as the Patel community is keeping up its agitation seeking reservation in Gujarat, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has pitched for a review of the reservation policy.
The RSS chief on Sunday said that contending that the reservation has been used for political ends. he suggested setting up of an apolitical committee to examine who needs the facility and for how long.
“Interest groups are formed because we have certain aspirations in democracy. At the same time, we should remember that through interest groups we should not strive to address those aspirations at the cost of others," he said.
“We should have integral approach of welfare for all. It is sensible to realise that my interest lies in larger national interest. Government also has to be sensitive to these issues that there should not be any agitations for them," Bhagwat told Sangh mouthpiece “Organiser" and “Panchjanya" in an interview.
He also pitched for constitution of a committee with representatives from the civil society to go into the issue.
For more than a month, the Patel community in Gujarat has been agitating to get reservation under OBC quota. 22-year-old Hardik Patel, who is leading the protests, was on Saturday detained by police for a while along with 35 of his supporters after he launched his 'Ekta yatra' despite being denied permission by the state government.
The rally, which the police said was 'unauthorised', was intended to press for caste-based reservations for the Patel community. The agitation is being spearheaded by the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).
In massive protests in August 2015, 10 people lost their lives in Gujarat due to violent quota agitation by the Patel community. Police on August 25 had imposed statewide ban on mobile internet, social media and SMS services.
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