NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Deve Gowda has urged Parliament to revisit the existing reservation policies and consider implementing economic criteria as the primary determining factor, rather than solely focusing on caste.
Speaking during the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India” discussion in Rajya Sabha, Deve Gowda highlighted that many individuals continue to struggle despite the benefits of caste-based reservations. He emphasized, “The House itself has to apply its mind on what all happened in the past and whether we should give reservation only on the basis of poverty in this country.”
Deve Gowda pointed out that despite historical reservation policies, there are still significant challenges. Many marginalized individuals still lack access to basic necessities like two square meals a day. Given these persistent issues, he advocates prioritizing the most economically disadvantaged groups, irrespective of caste, for effective poverty alleviation.
The former PM further indicated that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and other leaders should consider this approach before any policy changes are finalized. Additionally, he paid tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution, asserting that it has endured the test of time and remains a vital framework for governance.
Deve Gowda also praised the speech delivered by BJP Leader of the House J P Nadda, describing it as “thought-provoking” in addressing issues surrounding the nation’s journey since Independence.
This call for reevaluation underscores an important debate on whether India’s reservation system should evolve to align with modern socio-economic realities.
Source: Web Team, C6N
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