BHAGWAT BATS FOR INTERCASTE MARRIAGES
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has lent his support to inter-caste marriages, saying swayamsevaks should stand in favour of such reformative measures in the country. His remarks came after the BJP’s attempts to woo Dalits in the recent Uttar Pradesh elections.
NEWDELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has lent his support to inter-caste marriages, saying swayamsevaks should stand in favour of such reformative measures in the country.
His remarks come close on the heels of the BJP aggressively wooing the so-called backward castes and Dalits in the recently concluded polls in UP.
Orthodox opinions about inter-faith marriages by the Sangh and its hardline affiliates have stoked controversies, while that aspect remains unchanged, the RSS chief said swayamsevaks are encouraged to marry outside their castes.
“Generally, it happens and it should happen. If you take a survey, you will find more swayamsevaks with inter-caste marriages than anybody else. We observe that in our personal interactions,” he said while speaking to the RSS mouthpiece Organiser.
He also batted for social inclusion and equality, saying wherever people in favour of social equality are in power, they should ensure strict implementation of the constitutional and other legal provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The RSS has been accused of being opposed to caste-based reservation. In what seems like the RSS articulating its support for quotas, Bhagwat went on to add that if the government ensures timely allocation of funds and appointing the right person for the right job, that itself would be a big job.
“Fifty percent of systemic issues would be resolved by this. These provisions are already there, we just have to implement them in right spirit. We believe that wherever swayamesevaks are in government positions, they should focus on this.”
The interview comes at a time when the BJP-led NDA government has announced the National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes, which is expected to review the reservation demands of Patidars, Jats.