Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati lambasted the Centre while flaying lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan for her remarks on ‘reservation’ which the former termed as ‘reflecting Manuvadi mindset of the upper castes’. She launched the diatribe through a communiqué released in lucknow on Monday.
“The Speaker’s remarks over the review of caste-based reservation in Ahmedabad, directly implies that it is a reflection of Manuvadi mentality,” asserted Mayawati. She added, “ It is well known that when people with the dangerous mentality of RSS speak of review, it intends to ending the facility.”
“The issue of Dalit youth Rohith Vemula being forced to commit suicide due to castiest harassment is very much alive. Now a lady holding a high office issues such statement which only adds fuel to the fire,” quipped the BSP chief.
She pointed out, “If Rohith is denied justice after death, it will be a pointer that the PM getting emotional while speaking about him at a function in lucknow on Friday, was a drama.”
Mayawati said that in a country where people were discriminated due to their caste at every level and sphere, talking of ending constitutional arrangements to overcome this disparity will encourage injustice and atrocities.
On Friday, Sumitra Mahajan said, “I am not against reservations. Dr Ambedkar had put the cap on reservation for 10 years assuming that by that time a society will be created in independent India where everybody will come on the same level.”
Speaking to newspersons after a conference of Presiding Officers of Parliament and state legislatures, Mahajan had said that after every 10 years, the Parliament extends the reservations for another 10 years. “This means we have not achieved Ambedkar’s wish of bringing all at the same level. After every 10 years, all parties merely say yes to increasing the time limit of reservation,” she had said.