The bill providing 10% reservation for the economically backward section of the society has created quite a flutter. Many see it as a political masterstroke by PM Modi which sets the narrative for the BJP ahead of the upcoming general elections. With this one move, PM Modi has not only
Most political leaders of the “secular” spectrum have been passing outlandish statements regarding the Bill. Asaddudin Owaisi, for example, said that reservations should only be granted as reparation for historical wrongs. However, in the past, Owaisi has asked vehemently for reservation for Muslims on the basis of Muslims being economically backward. In fact, if reservations were only to be allotted on the basis of historic wrongs, then demanding reservations for Muslims would have no ground.
Similarly, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar is a confused man. Last year in July, he was of the opinion that the Constitution should be amended to clear the Maratha reservation. He has even expressed willingness to talk to the Opposition.
Supporting the community’s demand for 16% reservation in government jobs and education, Pawar had said, “Bharatiya Janata Party is in government at Centre and in the state. They should now amend the Constitution in order to provide reservation to the Maratha community. I am ready to talk to the opposition leaders to pass the amendment.”
In a departure from his previous stand, Pawar yesterday said that amending the constitution for quota (10% for the economically backward section of the society) is ‘harmful’.
Quoting ‘experts’ on the constitution, Pawar said, “amendment in article 15 and 15 of the Constitution to allow reservation above 50% will be harmful to the basic principles of the constitution.” He further added that 10% quota violates the Constitution.
What is perhaps making several such politicians jittery, is the fact that an economic-based reservation ends the chances of these politicians asking for reservations based on caste and religion. Like Owaisi asking reservation for Muslims and Pawar for Marathas.
This is not the first time Sharad Pawar has shown Kejriwal-esque tendencies by making a U-turn. Last year, the NCP chief had given a public statement that ‘Right-wing forces’ were behind the Bhima Koregaon violence. Later, in front of the Bhima Koregaon Inquiry Commission, Pawar had said that he was not in a position to ‘specifically make allegations against any particular organisation’ for the violence.