Speaking to The Hindu
in the context of the Patel community’s agitation for reservation in
Gujarat, Mr. Vaidya said, “There is no need for caste-based reservation
now, because no caste has remained backward. At the most, continue it
[reservation] for the SCs and STs, but only for 10 years. Abolish it
[caste-based reservation] completely after that.”
The
senior RSS leader also trashed the claims of the Patel community in
Gujarat and other “dominant communities” in other parts of the county
for reservation.
“All the trade in Gujarat is
controlled by the Patels. Do they really need reservation? In
Maharashtra, Marathas are demanding reservation, whereas most of the
Chief Ministers of the State have been Marathas. Jats and Gurjars are
also pitching for reservation in other States. Are they really
backwards? Even the governments entertain such demands to nourish vote
banks,” he claimed.
Favouring the change of criteria
for reservation from caste to economic status, Mr. Vaidya said that
caste-based reservation has “strengthened” caste divisions rather than
eradicating them.
“Concessions have become rights
now. Does the son of a Chief Minister or a Collector need reservation,”
asked the former spokesperson of the RSS.
Reservation
based on economic criteria would benefit the poor and needy among
Muslims, Christians, Marathas, Brahmins and other communities, he said.
Mr.
Vaidya, however, agreed with Hardik Patel’s contention that either
reservation should be given to everyone or it should be abolished
altogether.
“He [Hardik] is right in this regard.
People are backward these days not because of caste but because of
economic conditions. If the criteria of reservation is changed from
caste to economic status, then there won’t be permanent reservation.
Caste-based reservation is making people remember their caste. How can
you eradicate it [caste], if you are making them remember it since their
birth?” asked Mr. Vaidya, whose son Manmohan Vaidya is the current
chief spokesperson of the RSS.
The RSS ideologue also
contended that atrocities against Dalits, at least in Maharashtra, did
not take place because of caste hatred but because of land dispute and
other reasons.
“What is the relevance of caste? I am a
Brahmin but do I practise Purohit Yoga? Does my son do it? Only
politicians need caste and have kept it relevant for vote bank politics.
It is dangerous for the nation as it divides communities,” said Mr.
Vaidya, while expressing concern over the current political situation in
the country.
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