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New Delhi, Nov 25 (IANS) Jagadguru Rambhadracharya’s call for repeal of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act sparked a political storm on Tuesday, prompting Purnia MP Pappu Yadav to say, “Let all the Shankaracharyas include Dalits in their midst, and we will immediately end reservation.”
Speaking to IANS, Yadav said, “I will request Shankaracharya that all Shankaracharyas should include Dalits, SCs and STs among themselves and we will immediately end the reservation.”
Jagadguru Rambhadracharya had earlier said, “The SC/ST Act should be repealed. There is no mention of Avarna or Savarna in the Vedas, these political leaders have started this system… I would say there should be no reservation on the basis of caste.”
His comments reignited the debate over affirmative action and legal protections for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Congress leader Sandeep Dixit reacted sharply and challenged the feasibility of Rambhadracharya’s demand.
He said, “Win two-third majority, come to Parliament, form government and change laws. Or do you think that PM Modi will listen to you just because you are part of his group, so you can ask your ministers to remove reservation?…”
Dixit’s reaction underlines the political sensitivities surrounding reservation policies and the legal structures that protect marginalized communities.
On the contrary, Minister Lakhendra Kumar Roshan supported Rambhadracharya’s stand. “I support the comments made by Rambhadracharya. For a long time, the caste system and division of society based on varna has played a major role in weakening this country…” he said, associating himself with the call to re-think the existing caste-based structure.
The SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, is a central law aimed at preventing atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, establishing special courts, ensuring strict punishment and protecting the rights of victims. Any suggestion of its repeal has historically drawn strong reactions from both community representatives and the political leadership.
Rambhadracharya’s comment that “there should be no reservation on the basis of caste” has gained traction now at a time when the caste census debate, social justice policies and election strategies dominate the political conversation in many states and atrocities against Dalits are still taking place in many parts of the country.
–IANS
RS/RAD