Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 31: Describing the caste based reservation policy a great threat to the social fabric and national harmony of the country and State, Chairman All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, Shafiq Mir has said that such short term political considerations may prove dangerous for national integration of country and social harmony in the society.
Rejecting all sort of reservations in the name of caste, color, creed, region and religion, Shafiq Mir suggested all the politicians and other social forces, if they want to see the development of all sections of the society equally, they should come forward and demand reservation in the name of BPL (Below Poverty Line) only.
In a statement issued here, Mir said, ” Poor are in all sections of the society. If we are really honest to change the poverty conditions of the poor people of the society we must adopt BPL formula for reservations”.
Terming the BPL formula a best way to develop all the sections of the society, Mir demanded to scrap all the reservations made whether on the basis of area, caste, region or religion and adopt a new policy on the basis of BPL and it will end the demand of the reservations in future . ” If we want to see the development of, all let us adopt this formula”, he added.
Reacting over the latest violent agitation in Gujarat by Patel community demanding reservation, Mir said that such agitations were result of the wrong policies adopted by the Governing class in India which was first introduced by the Britain rulers in India under their deep rooted conspiracy to ‘divide and rule’. However, after independence, the policy of divide and rule was not only continued by Indian politicians but it was more encouraged and strengthened. He said now the time has come to scrap this policy and adopt the BPL criteria for reservations which will cover all sections of society belonging to different castes, colors, creeds and region.