RSS cautions govt against succumbing to pressure politics

New Delhi, Sep 20: After the agitations on land bill and OROP and now Patel quota issue, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday cautioned the government against succumbing to "pressure politics" and said a panel should be set up to examine who needs reservation and for how long.

"There are aspirations in a democracy but then aspirations should not be met by succumbing to some pressure groups and displeasing others," he said.

Bhagwat also said that the education policy of the country "needs changes" based on "truth and authenticity" and there be should be minimal interference from those sitting in power.

With the BJP-led government under attack over land bill, he disapproved of suggestions that efforts to develop agriculture and industry run contrary to each other.

"The country needs to develop both industry and agriculture together by creating an indigenous model," he said, insisting that the two sectors cannot be compartmentalised and "we do not need adjectives like agriculture-based or industry-based for the economy".

Arguing that reservation issue has been used for political ends, the RSS chief said had the vision of the makers of the Indian Constitution been implemented, questions on the issue would not have surfaced today.

"Reservations have been used for political ends. The reservation policy based on social backwardness should be on the basis of what our Constitution makers envisaged.

"Had this been done in the first place, the questions on reservations would not have arisen today," the Sangh supremo told RSS mouthpiece 'Panchjanya' and 'Organiser' in an interview.

He added, "There should be a committee formed comprising dedicated people. This committee should also take along political representatives to discuss who should get reservations and till what time".

"Dedicated people should be on the panel and their will must prevail," he said. The remarks come in the wake of violent protests by the Patel community in Gujarat who are demanding a share in the OBC reservation pie.

Warning the government against working under coercion from pressure groups, Bhagwat said there are aspirations in a democracy but these should not be met by acting under pressure at the cost of larger public benefit.

He said a government should be sensitive enough to ensure issues are addressed without their having to take the shape of campaigns.

"National benefit is our benefit. The government needs to have enough sensitivity to address issues on its own without the need for agitation," he said.

The comments come at a time when government withdrew the land ordinance following pressures from the opposition and several farmers associations including RSS affiliates.

Also, government recently agreed to demands of ex-servicemen on OROP issue after they launched a major agitation.

On education, he said, "There should be less interference in education by those sitting in power. Education should be based on truth."

PTI