Religion-based reservation may lead to creation of another Pakistan: Naidu

The Union minister also clarified that his party is not against Muslims. Image-Venkaiah Naidu/AP (File Photo)

NEW DELHI: Reservations on the basis of religion may "lead to creation of another Pakistan" and result in social unrest in the country, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said. While speaking in BJP meeting organised on the occasion of the Ambedkar Jayanthi, Naidu said that architect of Constitution B R Ambedkar had opposed religion-based reservation. "We are not opposing (reservation on religion basis) because KCR (Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao) wants to implement it.. the BJP opposed such a move even when Rajasekhar Reddy (late CM of united Andhra Pradesh) and Chandrababu Naidu (present CM) also tried to do that. "We will oppose any such move because it will lead to creation of another Pakistan. It is an all India policy of the BJP. It is not the policy of Telangana unit of the BJP," PTI quoted Naidu as saying. Naidu said the BJP is against communal reservations. "Communal reservation will divide people on the communal basis. It will give demand to another partition of the country. It will bring disunity among the people. Social disruption will also caused by that," he said. Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao recently said his government would convene the Legislative Assembly on April 16 to pass a bill to increase quotas to the STs (Scheduled Tribes) and backward sections among Muslims. Rao further said resolution once passed by the state Assembly will be sent to the Centre for its consent. He also warned that in the event of Centre s descent, the state government may approach the Supreme Court. The Union minister also clarified that his party is not against Muslims. "Reservations that are offered based on social status and backwardness (in any religion) is recognised by the Constitution. Any deviation from that will not stand before the Constitution," he said. "The BJP is in favour of reservation for those socially backward and are discriminated against. Reservations based on religion may lead to social unrest in the country. It would encourage religious conversions. It would create tension among various sections of the society," he added. Naidu further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are committed to realise Ambedkar's dream and complete the "unfinished" task of building a new India based on the foundation of equality of all and empowerment of all.