Union Minister Chirag Paswan stated on Friday that the reservation system is a constitutional right that cannot be eliminated simply based on individual demands. He emphasized that this system is designed to support communities that have faced social discrimination over generations.
“Reservation is not something that can be ended at anyone’s demand, nor is it charity given to anyone,” Paswan said.
Earlier reporting noted: ‘Constitutional right, not charity’: Chirag Paswan backs reservation amid Delhi protest, asks for systematic demands Amid continued demands to scrap reservation, which prompted protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday, union minister Chirag Paswan backed the system, saying it is not charity but a constitutional right granted to those who have faced discrimination. He stressed that reservation is a constitutional provision and not a concession granted at the discretion of any government. In making this point about persistent discrimination and the need for greater attention to social justice, Paswan cited an incident in Uttarakhand involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. When asked about Union Minister Ramdas Athawale’s comments on those opposing reservation, Paswan stated that the protesters were merely voicing their concerns. In Paswan’s view, the Opposition’s duty extended beyond merely levelling allegations; it also involved collaborating with the government to promote Bihar’s development. He added that the government was steadily working to boost the state’s revenue and would prioritise attracting investment, generating employment opportunities, and reinforcing development in the years ahead.
Paswan said that the reservation system was established to integrate into the mainstream those sections of society that had endured long-standing social discrimination. Earlier reporting noted: He added that overtime these provisions have been strengthened and said that poor people from upper castes are also made eligible to benefit from reservation. Earlier reporting noted: Paswan said that the government would engage in dialogue with anti-reservation protesters demonstrating at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar once they present their demands in a systematic manner.
