Patna, Aug 31 (PTI) Union minister Chirag Paswan on Monday asserted the NDA government was committed to allaying “fears of the upper castes” by ensuring that protecting the interests of deprived classes did not result in “exploitation of other social groups”.
Paswan also said that he shall deem it his responsibility to help the upper castes “if they feel they need justice”.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief also charged upper caste politicians with failure to “effectively voicing the concerns of their own communities”, and promised to “serve as a bridge” that connected various social groups.
Paswan was responding to a query from journalists about his vehement opposition to introducing a sub-quota for the most deprived sections among SCs and STs, which has left him embroiled in a war of words with cabinet colleague and former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
The Hajipur MP did not directly reply to his tiff with Manjhi, the Hindustani Awam Morcha founder, but said, “About reservations, I hold the clear view that if one social segment has its own concerns, taking care of the apprehensions of the others is also the responsibility of our government.” “On one hand, we need to protect the interests of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, but on the other we also ought to allay fears of the upper castes. Safeguarding interests of one caste should not result in the exploitation of another,” Paswan said.
“Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has always advocated taking along all classes and castes. I have always tried to connect with people, rising against considerations of caste and religion. As such, I shall deem it my responsibility to help the upper castes if they feel they need justice,” said Paswan, without elaborating further. PTI NAC RBT
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