Follow Baba Ambedkar, not characterless Baba’s: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indicating that one of the reasons for the mounting inter-caste disputes is a result of lack of reservation for the economically poor from the general category (GC), Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale moots for raising the reservation level to 75 percent in government jobs and in college admissions. He also called on the majority Dalits who are believers of the convicted rapist Baba Ram Rahim not to believe in any such `Characterless Babas’ and to follow the precepts of Baba Ambedkar.
“Without touching the 50 percent reservation for SC, ST and OBC, an additional 25 percent reservation for the economically poor from the General Castes in government jobs and in college seats, would end the dispute over reservation, inter-caste conflicts and help in national integration, “Ramdas Athawale said. He was speaking after a review meeting with officials of Social Justice and Welfare of SC/ST and Backward Classes of Kerala.
“Irrespective of caste, the economically poor in all states across the country are seeking reservation, be it the Namboodiris and Nair’s in Kerala, Takurs in UP, Jats in Haryana, Marathas in Maharashtra or Patels in Gujarat. To put an end to this reservation issue and to ensure economic justice to all, I am going to talk to the Prime Minister and to political leaders of all parties,” Minister Ramdas Athavale said. A Bill needs to be passed by the Parliament with recommendations from all states to implement 75 percent reservation, he said.
The Central government had also decided to raise the cap for the OBC creamy layer from Rs 6 lakh per annum to Rs 8 lakh per annum. The OBCs with an income of up to Rs 8 lakh per annum will get reservation in education and jobs.
Currently, as per the Indian Constitution, 15 percent seats are reserved for SCs, 7.5 per cent for STs and 27 per cent for OBCs in jobs and higher education institutions. Thus, a total 49.5 percent reservation is in place in the country. Of the remaining 50.5 percent, 25 percent can be set aside for reservation to General castes giving priority to economically backward among them, he said.
On whether measures would be in place in ensure that all the deserving get the reservation in the country, the Minister told TOI that if there is no candidate from a particular caste to fill the reservation quota it will be filled with next available candidate from other caste or economically backward or from any caste.
On the disabled, the Minister said that among the 7.39 lakh disabled in Kerala, 5 lakh disabled are getting state pension of Rs 16000. Currently, there is a backlog of 9000 disabled candidates in government jobs in Kerala and the state is requested to fill up the backlog, he said.