Chhagan Bhujbal demands quota for Other Backward Castes

In an apparent display of power, founder-president of the all-India Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad (MPSP) and state minister for public works, Chhagan Bhujbal, on Sunday demanded reservations for Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in the private sector, judiciary and legislature, including Parliament.

He was speaking at Samata Melawa, a rally organised by the MPSP on the 120th death anniversary of Mahatma Phule.

He threatened to launch a mass agitation if the demands of OBCs were not met.

His belligerent stance is considered important against the background of recent revamp in the state cabinet, in which he was divested of the deputy chief minister’s portfolio. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Ajit Pawar, became the deputy chief minister.

Denying that it was power play, Bhujbal said he was a follower of NCP president Sharad Pawar. The rally was attended by the MPSP supporters in large numbers from across the state.

Governor K Sankaranarayanan, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha, NCP’s city unit president Vandana Chavan and social activist Balasaheb Renake were present.

Bhujbal said the OBCs must get reservations in the private sector. Even in United States, jobs for poor in the private sector are ensured by way of affirmative action: boycotting products of a company by the government where disadvantaged people are not employed.
“Big industrial houses like the Tatas and Birlas want concessions from the government for land, power and taxes. But the private sector opposes reservation for jobs. They say they have to compete with foreign companies. But the poor people in India also have to compete with the rich and the powerful; so they also need reservation,” Bhujbal remarked.

He noted that although the state had passed a law to ensure reservations for the OBCs in promotion in state government jobs six years agi, it was not implemented. He said he was not opposed to reservations for the Maratha community, but the quota for OBCs should not be reduced.

Ajit Pawar said the state would fund the memorial of Mahatma Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, in the city. There would emphasis on social justice in the forthcoming budget of the state.