 "Patels will never get reservation: Sharad Yadav")
Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav opposes any reservation for the "prosperous" Patel community in Gujarat. He tells Sahil Makkar that the Patels' demand would never fructify. Despite the fact that the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party has pulled out of the Janata Parivar grand alliance in Bihar, Sharad Yadav remains optimistic about its prospects in the state's Assembly elections due later this year. He also discusses how important caste is in India and its effect on poll results. Excerpts:
What transpired in the meeting? Has Mulayam Singh Yadav assured you of his return to the Janata Parivar?
I said the alliance should remain the same as earlier. We are discussing (prospects). One thing you should know is that everything will be all right.
I don't think so. People of this country understand these internal dynamics. Mulayam Singhji is a veteran politician. I have known him closely. Your inference is far-fetched. He has spent a lifetime fighting communal forces. There was a time when he was called Maulana Mulayam. Yes, we are faced with a problem and will work to resolve it.
What was the reason for the Patels' agitation in Gujarat? How did it snowball into a large-scale protest?
There are many people, who are involved in the protests. If there is any community, which is prosperous and strong in the country, it is the Patels. It is either the Punjabis or the Patels, who have mostly gone abroad. They (Patels) are being naive and whoever is behind this agitation will repent.
Who is behind this agitation? Is it the BJP or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?
I don't want to comment and I don't know. But definitely someone is behind this agitation. No one will benefit from it. In fact it will cause damage to the community (Patels).
Are you saying the Patels will not get reservation through this agitation?
How will they get it? There is no question about it. The Constitution provides reservation only to socially and economically backward people. This cannot happen without the Backward Commission and the government('s) (permission). The Patels are one of the most prosperous castes in the world. They own most of the motel businesses in the US. They largely control businesses in Gujarat.
Is this agitation pointing fingers at the so-called Gujarat Model of Prime Minster Narendra Modi?
It is a shameful thing. Modi's Gujarat Model has turned out to be a sham. The agitation of the Patels, who are BJP's supporters, has exposed the ruling party in the state.
Many see this agitation as an internal fight in the BJP. What is your take?
It is the media's job to find out whether it was a result of bickering in the BJP. All I know is that the Patels raised the issue of reservation of a prosperous caste and it is not possible (to agree to their demand). History is witness to the fact that after the Mandal Commission (whose recommendations were implemented in 1990) the only chief minister after Bhajan Lal to walk away with the entire government was then Gujarat chief minister Chimanbhai Patel (Chimanbhai Patel was vehemently against the acceptance of the Mandal Commission recommendations by the then VP Singh government in 1990. Patel was heading the Janata Dal-BJP coalition in the state, but broke away to form the government with the help of Congress MLAs.)
Many say that reservation should now be based purely on the financial state of a person or family. Do you think the time has come for this?
Social and economic disparities have a deep correlation. As one goes down the caste hierarchy, poverty increases. If there is a solution to this, then eradicate the caste system. If they think 200,000-400,000 people can agitate for reservation, I can do the same with similar strengths in each state. Two thirds of India's population belongs to the backward classes. Reservation is given to those who have been socially deprived. They have been given reservation for the unity of the country.
How important is caste for the Bihar elections?
Caste plays a significant role in India's elections. It's a 1,000-year-old institution. It is not only important in Bihar, but also has the same relevance in Jammu and Kashmir. It is not only present among Hindus, but also Muslims and people from other religions. Caste system is a typical disease of this country.
Modi has held four rallies in Bihar and the turnouts were huge. Is the tide turning in the BJP's favour?
It is time for elections, so he is doing it. There is nothing wrong about it. What should I say about his rallies? All I can say is whatever rallies we have held in the last few days were among the biggest in the last four-five years.
Modi announced a Rs 1.25-lakh crore package for Bihar, a few days before the dates of the elections are to be announced.
Whatever package he has announced should have the support of Parliament. Without its consent, he cannot draw a paisa. Let them first get it sanctioned by Parliament. The amount or package announced by Modi is according to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. This amount is not an obligation towards Bihar but it shows the NDA's desperation about winning elections in the state.
Do you think the BJP will be able to get it sanctioned?
I can't say. Whatever they promised in 2014, they have not been able to deliver. They had said they would provide employment to 20 million people and this would benefit 100 million people (considering five members per household) each year. If they are able to deliver on their promises, most problems would be solved and life would get much easier. The Patels' agitation is a result of such false promises made by the BJP government. The BJP had made 42 big promises in its election manifesto, but most of them are still unattended.
What are the issues on which you are you fighting the Bihar elections?
Our party's agenda and issues are known to the country and the world. We fight for the farmers, the poor and the labour class. They are our vote base and we fight for their progress and rights. They make up 80 per cent of India's population.
You have been speaking against the Census data based on religion that was recently released by the Union home ministry.
It is telling us the population of Muslims, whereas it was supposed to tell us more about the Hindus, who make up 80 per cent of the population. It (the data) has 90 million errors. No commission in the world would have committed such a large number of mistakes. It is fraudulent and the Census should be done afresh.
What transpired in the meeting? Has Mulayam Singh Yadav assured you of his return to the Janata Parivar?
I said the alliance should remain the same as earlier. We are discussing (prospects). One thing you should know is that everything will be all right.
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But would it not negatively impact the fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)? Mulayam Singh Yadav had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.
I don't think so. People of this country understand these internal dynamics. Mulayam Singhji is a veteran politician. I have known him closely. Your inference is far-fetched. He has spent a lifetime fighting communal forces. There was a time when he was called Maulana Mulayam. Yes, we are faced with a problem and will work to resolve it.
What was the reason for the Patels' agitation in Gujarat? How did it snowball into a large-scale protest?
There are many people, who are involved in the protests. If there is any community, which is prosperous and strong in the country, it is the Patels. It is either the Punjabis or the Patels, who have mostly gone abroad. They (Patels) are being naive and whoever is behind this agitation will repent.
Who is behind this agitation? Is it the BJP or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh?
I don't want to comment and I don't know. But definitely someone is behind this agitation. No one will benefit from it. In fact it will cause damage to the community (Patels).
Are you saying the Patels will not get reservation through this agitation?
How will they get it? There is no question about it. The Constitution provides reservation only to socially and economically backward people. This cannot happen without the Backward Commission and the government('s) (permission). The Patels are one of the most prosperous castes in the world. They own most of the motel businesses in the US. They largely control businesses in Gujarat.
Is this agitation pointing fingers at the so-called Gujarat Model of Prime Minster Narendra Modi?
It is a shameful thing. Modi's Gujarat Model has turned out to be a sham. The agitation of the Patels, who are BJP's supporters, has exposed the ruling party in the state.
Many see this agitation as an internal fight in the BJP. What is your take?
It is the media's job to find out whether it was a result of bickering in the BJP. All I know is that the Patels raised the issue of reservation of a prosperous caste and it is not possible (to agree to their demand). History is witness to the fact that after the Mandal Commission (whose recommendations were implemented in 1990) the only chief minister after Bhajan Lal to walk away with the entire government was then Gujarat chief minister Chimanbhai Patel (Chimanbhai Patel was vehemently against the acceptance of the Mandal Commission recommendations by the then VP Singh government in 1990. Patel was heading the Janata Dal-BJP coalition in the state, but broke away to form the government with the help of Congress MLAs.)
Many say that reservation should now be based purely on the financial state of a person or family. Do you think the time has come for this?
Social and economic disparities have a deep correlation. As one goes down the caste hierarchy, poverty increases. If there is a solution to this, then eradicate the caste system. If they think 200,000-400,000 people can agitate for reservation, I can do the same with similar strengths in each state. Two thirds of India's population belongs to the backward classes. Reservation is given to those who have been socially deprived. They have been given reservation for the unity of the country.
How important is caste for the Bihar elections?
Caste plays a significant role in India's elections. It's a 1,000-year-old institution. It is not only important in Bihar, but also has the same relevance in Jammu and Kashmir. It is not only present among Hindus, but also Muslims and people from other religions. Caste system is a typical disease of this country.
Modi has held four rallies in Bihar and the turnouts were huge. Is the tide turning in the BJP's favour?
It is time for elections, so he is doing it. There is nothing wrong about it. What should I say about his rallies? All I can say is whatever rallies we have held in the last few days were among the biggest in the last four-five years.
Modi announced a Rs 1.25-lakh crore package for Bihar, a few days before the dates of the elections are to be announced.
Whatever package he has announced should have the support of Parliament. Without its consent, he cannot draw a paisa. Let them first get it sanctioned by Parliament. The amount or package announced by Modi is according to the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission. This amount is not an obligation towards Bihar but it shows the NDA's desperation about winning elections in the state.
Do you think the BJP will be able to get it sanctioned?
I can't say. Whatever they promised in 2014, they have not been able to deliver. They had said they would provide employment to 20 million people and this would benefit 100 million people (considering five members per household) each year. If they are able to deliver on their promises, most problems would be solved and life would get much easier. The Patels' agitation is a result of such false promises made by the BJP government. The BJP had made 42 big promises in its election manifesto, but most of them are still unattended.
What are the issues on which you are you fighting the Bihar elections?
Our party's agenda and issues are known to the country and the world. We fight for the farmers, the poor and the labour class. They are our vote base and we fight for their progress and rights. They make up 80 per cent of India's population.
You have been speaking against the Census data based on religion that was recently released by the Union home ministry.
It is telling us the population of Muslims, whereas it was supposed to tell us more about the Hindus, who make up 80 per cent of the population. It (the data) has 90 million errors. No commission in the world would have committed such a large number of mistakes. It is fraudulent and the Census should be done afresh.