Insisting that it is “not a charity granted by someone”, he asserted that quota benefits cannot be abolished and said his party has been fighting in favour of reservation. “Be it the Mandal Commission or any issue related to the welfare of Dalits, my party has been fighting in favour of reservation. If there is any alteration or change in the reservation system, my party will protest against it from Parliament to streets,” Paswan said. However, Vaidya’s remarks invited strong criticism from JD(U), RJD and Congress, who are part of the ruling alliance in Bihar. Reservation is a sensitive issue in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Source: Indian Express January 22, 2017 22:40 UTC