Amid a renewed debate and protests over caste-based reservations, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said reservations were introduced to ensure social equality and should continue as long as inequality exists. At the same time, he said those who have already benefited from the quota system should voluntarily give up the benefits so others from their communities can benefit. He added that such thinking was already emerging among some reservation beneficiaries.
Bhagwat was speaking during an interaction with IIMUN founder Rishabh Shah before an audience of around 2,000 Gen Z and Gen Alpha participants at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.
Shah posed questions collected from young people, including school students.
Responding to a question on whether reservations in education and employment should now be curtailed, the RSS chief said the issue should be understood through the perspective of Dr BR Ambedkar, maintaining that reservations would remain necessary until social discrimination is eliminated.
The reservation issue has gained renewed political attention amid the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests over the alleged NEET-UG paper leak. Some critics have argued that reservation-related competition has added pressure on aspirants, contributing to mental health concerns.
VIEW RESERVATIONS THROUGH AMBEDKAR'S LENS: BHAGWAT
Asked whether reservations should continue indefinitely or eventually be withdrawn, Bhagwat avoided giving a direct answer.
"I will not answer you directly. I will ask you to go to what Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar thought about the reservation. If we honestly follow his advice, then there is no problem," he said.
"Reservation exists because of social reasons. As long as social discrimination exists, reservation will continue," Bhagwat added.
He also said those who had already benefited from reservations and achieved social and economic advancement should voluntarily step aside to allow others from the same communities to benefit.
"Those who have received a reservation and whose situation has improved should have the generosity to give it up," he said, adding that such thinking was already developing among sections of reservation beneficiaries.
BHAGWAT BACKS SUB-CATEGORISATION, SAYS QUOTA SHOULD REMAIN ABOVE POLITICS
Bhagwat said demands for sub-categorisation within reserved communities had emerged because there was increasing recognition that the benefits of reservations should reach everyone. He noted that the Supreme Court had also considered the issue.
"There is a stream of thought among those who receive reservations that it is meant for our upliftment. This is not a permanent measure. We have to take advantage of it, improve ourselves, and make it useful for others who have not yet received its benefits," he said, adding that "that mindset should be encouraged."
He further argued that the implementation of reservations should remain free from political considerations. According to Bhagwat, if welfare measures are implemented sincerely and effectively, "the need for reservation will end sooner," and only then should discussions on its future be held.
He also criticised the politicisation of reservations, saying it had created divisions instead of promoting social harmony.
"In reality, it was introduced as a measure for social unity. The measure itself is not wrong. But those who wield the sword are wielding it the wrong way, intentionally. Unless that is corrected, I don't see anything changing," Bhagwat said.
BHAGWAT'S REMARKS COME AMID RENEWED QUOTA DEBATE
Bhagwat's comments come as the reservation debate has once again taken centre stage.
In recent weeks, anti-reservation protests have been reported from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Several groups have demanded a review or rollback of caste-based quotas as well as the now-stayed UGC Equity Regulations.
The Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA) has been mobilising support online, while NEET aspirant Harsh Dubey, whose remarks against caste-based reservations during a television debate went viral, has emerged as one of the leading faces of the campaign. He is currently awaiting permission to stage a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The campaign against the existing caste-based affirmative action system has also expanded to street protests.
The Shri Rajput Karni Sena led a 24-day march to Jaipur demanding the rollback of the UGC regulations and vowed to withhold support for the BJP in local body elections after nearly 2,000 of its members clashed with police.
Similar demonstrations have taken place in Nagpur, Lucknow and Visakhapatnam, where protesters sought reforms such as income-based reservation criteria, periodic reviews and sub-categorisation.
These developments have reignited one of India's most politically sensitive debates, with political parties continuing to approach the issue cautiously.
