Reservation a constitutional right, no power can abolish it: Chirag Paswan

New Delhi: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday said caste-based reservation cannot be scrapped as it is a constitutional right, even as the Opposition alleged that the ruling party was seeking to amend the Constitution to end quotas.

"These people see politics in everything. After all, aren't the Sangh, the BJP, and our party all part of the NDA? Is reservation something that can be abolished just because someone says so? It is a constitutional right," Paswan told reporters on the sidelines of a national conclave here.

Reservation, he said, is not "charity handed out to anyone" but a constitutional right that "no power on earth can ever abolish". Those who speak of scrapping it under the garb of "review" or "reform", he added, "likely do not even understand why reservation is necessary."


Referring to the treatment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Paswan said people still casually question why they need reservation, even as caste-based discrimination continues in society. He cited the recent controversy over Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, asking pointedly whether the stage was "purified" after he left it.

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He also pointed to instances where Dalit grooms are stopped from taking out wedding processions, and where temple premises are washed with "Gangajal" after visits by prominent leaders, as evidence that untouchability persists.

"This is the very Scheduled Caste community that was a victim of untouchability. The 'Scheduled Castes' in the Constitution were listed as such precisely because of untouchability -- they were forced to live outside the village. Let alone touching them, even seeing them was considered a sin. Does this discrimination not still exist today?" he said.

Paswan said this was precisely why he opposed the concept of a "creamy layer" within reservation. "Today, at least we are united and able to voice our concerns. But the moment sub-classification and the 'creamy layer' come into the discussion, our collective strength will begin to diminish. And as our strength wanes, those who want reservation abolished will gain momentum," he said.

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He said the Scheduled Tribes were communities with distinct attire, lifestyles and dialects that were designated as "Scheduled", while the Backward Classes were those who lacked opportunities and received support through the reservation system. He also noted that the Modi government had introduced 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections among the upper castes.

"This system was established based on the vision of Babasaheb (B R Ambedkar), and no power on earth will be allowed to undermine it. As long as I, Ram Vilas Paswan's son, am part of this government, I will not let this system be compromised," he said.