Mayawati opposes economic-based reservation demands

Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has criticized recent protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar regarding demands for reservation based on economic status. She described these demands as anti-reservation and argued that attempting to shift the focus to economic criteria is not in the national interest and undermines the constitutional protections provided to SC, ST, and OBC communities.

Mayawati invoked the philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, stating that abandoning casteism is the highest form of patriotism. She argued that if the poor are not receiving benefits from existing poverty alleviation programs, it is a failure of government administration and corruption rather than a reason to alter the constitutional reservation system.

Additionally, she criticized the Congress party, alleging an anti-reservation mindset. She noted that while Rahul Gandhi was holding protests for other issues, no Congress leaders intervened to address the protesters at Jantar Mantar who were challenging existing reservation structures.