Religion-based quota not as per Constitution: RSS

Bengaluru: RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has stated that the Constitution does not permit reservation based on religion. He also criticised the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, asserting that his actions went against India’s ethos, despite some making him an icon.

Hosabale condemned the Karnataka government’s decision to grant 4% reservation for Muslims in government contracts, calling it a move against the ideals of Dr BR Ambedkar. He emphasised that the Constitution, as drafted by Ambedkar, does not allow religion-based quotas.

“Religion-based reservations are not part of the Constitution authored by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Anyone promoting such quotas is going against the very principles he laid down,” Hosabale said, pointing out that previous attempts by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to introduce religion-based reservations for Muslims were overturned by the High Courts and the Supreme Court. Hosabale further stressed that the courts have consistently rejected such provisions.

About the controversy surrounding the grave of the Aurangzeb, Hosabale remarked while Aurangzeb was made an icon, his brother Dara Shikoh, who promoted social harmony, was sidelined. He suggested that individuals who went against India’s cultural values were often elevated to iconic status. He praised figures such as Maharana Pratap for his resistance to the Mughal emperor Akbar, saying “We must support those who uphold Indian values and ethos.”