‘Make 50% reservations for inter-caste couples’

Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan demanded 50% reservation for youths marrying those from other castes. HT reports.

Days after Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, mooted the idea of making the disclosure of caste optional on government certificates, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan demanded 50% reservation for youths marrying those from other castes.

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Paswan said this would help eradicate the caste system, while Ambedkar’s concept would deprive the marginalised communities of their rights.

Paswan, who was in Mumbai to meet party delegates, said the upliftment of backward classes was possible only if youths were encouraged to marry into other castes. “It is true that Dr Ambedkar promoted reservation for backward classes but only for ten years after independence. The upliftment of backward classes has not happened fully yet. Inter-caste and inter-religion marriages should be encouraged by giving couples 50% reservation in employment and in academic admissions,” he said.

Reactions to the concept by Prakash Ambedkar have been mixed. Republican leader Ramdas Athawale termed the move anti-Dalit. NCP chief Sharad Pawar supported the idea saying reservation should always be on economic parameters and not caste-based.