Amid reservation row, RSS chief says Sangh supports quota system

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat clarified on Sunday (April 18) that the organisation has consistently backed reservation and advocated for its continuation as long as "discrimination exists." These remarks follow a viral video alleging the Sangh's opposition to the quota system.

The remarks also assume significance as the Opposition, especially the Congress has mounted an attack against the Rashtria Swayamsevak Sangh and the ruling BJP at the Centre, accusing them of being opposed to reservation.

Speaking at the inauguration of Vidya Bharati Vignana Kendra here, Bhagwat referred to the video in circulation and said it falsely claims the RSS was opposed to reservation. The video shows him as holding a meeting, he said but claimed it never happened.

'Supporting reservations'

"RSS has been supporting reservations as per the Constitution since the time it came." "The Sangh says that reservation should continue till the time people, to those whom it is given, feel they need it; or, it is given due to social reasons till discrimination exists," he added.

With the help of technology and Artificial Intelligence, what did not happen can also be shown (as to have happened), he said.

Bhagwat's pro-reservation statement also comes in the backdrop of the Congress alleging that BJP and RSS are against the quota system.

Rahul hits out

In his response to Bhagwat's remarks on the matter, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed though the RSS is now saying it was not against reservation, it had earlier spoken about opposing the quota system.

Addressing a campaign rally at Daman and Diu on Sunday, Rahul said the Bhagwat "makes a statement that RSS is not against reservation." "It was he (Mohan Bhagwat) who had made a statement that he was opposed to reservation. Those who are against the reservation (policy) are joining their party (BJP). They welcome all those who are against reservation, and then he (Bhagwat) says he is not against reservation," Gandhi alleged.

Incidentally, in a sharp attack on the RSS, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had earlier said that when the organisation was founded in 1925, it had decided to announce the nation as a "Hindu country" and to scrap the reservations in 100 years, i.e by 2025.

Bhagwat blames social media

Meanwhile, Bhagwat said good as well as bad things circulate on social media and it is not the quality of social media but that of the person who is using it, he said.

It is the selfishness of the person to circulate among people such made-up things and generate a controversy, but "we are not concerned with it" ("us se hamara koi sambandh nahi hai"), he said.

Such things happen during the ongoing election environment, he opined.

He said he gave the example as such instruments (like social media) do not have either good or bad qualities, adding that it was mischievousness.

Along with education, using it for people's welfare should be taught, he said.

Noted spiritual guru Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Chinna Jeeyar Swami also spoke on the occasion.

(With agency inputs)