ABVP backs reservation, says critics need better understanding
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New Delhi: The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has backed the reservation system, saying it remains necessary for the country and that those demanding its removal need to understand the issue in greater detail.
ABVP national general secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki said the organisation’s position was rooted in its belief in social harmony and collective progress.
“The Constitution provides for reservation and reservation should continue,” Solanki said.
“The ABVP has always stood with reservation. We have consistently stated that reservation is necessary in the country,” he said.
Asked about demands from some sections for changes to or the abolition of the existing reservation policy, Solanki said those making such demands needed a deeper understanding of the issue.
“We need to understand what the country requires,” he said, adding that reservation was necessary to ensure that all sections of society moved forward together.
Several people had gathered in Delhi on August 21 following a call by an Instagram page, ‘Reservation Hatao Andolan’, to demand the withdrawal of reservation. The protesters sought the use of economic criteria instead of caste as the basis for government support and reservation.
The government subsequently held discussions with representatives of the group. Union Minister J.P. Nadda described the meeting as cordial.
On whether the ABVP was limited in its ability to raise student issues because the BJP was in power, Solanki said the organisation would continue to act independently, irrespective of which party formed the government.
“The ABVP’s position is very clear, whether the government is BJP’s or non-BJP... we work strongly and aggressively on student issues,” he said.
Solanki said the organisation did not always adopt a confrontational approach and often tried to resolve issues through dialogue. However, he added that the ABVP was prepared to launch protests if discussions failed to produce results.
“On student issues, we move forward in the direction of a solution without any political agenda,” he said.