Lucknow, August 23 (TNA) Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has launched her first strong reaction to the reservation reform movement, saying that any move to replace caste-based reservation with economic reservation would not be in the country’s interest. She said the constitutional reservation framework for SCs, STs and OBCs was created to address centuries of discrimination, deprivation and exclusion, and should not be weakened.
What she said
Mayawati argued that reservation is not merely an economic support scheme but a constitutional tool for social justice, equality, dignity and representation. She said those demanding a shift away from caste-based reservation should avoid steps that could damage the constitutional goal of building an egalitarian and developed society. In her remarks, she also pointed out that economic-based reservation already exists, but even that has not been implemented effectively for poor families in the upper castes.
Political context
Her statement comes amid protests and renewed debate over reservation reform, including demands to review the current quota structure. Mayawati sharply questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, asking why he had not gone to Jantar Mantar to meet or explain the issue to protesters. She has consistently opposed any attempt to dilute caste-based quotas, arguing that such moves would undermine social justice.
Larger message
Mayawati’s position is rooted in her long-running defence of reservation as a safeguard for communities that have faced historic caste discrimination. She said the debate should focus on protecting constitutional rights rather than politicising or altering the existing system. Her comments are likely to sharpen the political divide around reservation reform in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.