Union Minister Chirag Paswan Addresses Anti-Reservation Protesters

Union Minister Chirag Paswan stated on Friday that reservations cannot be abolished on demand, describing it as a constitutional right meant to support communities that have faced discrimination.

Speaking at Patna airport before traveling to Delhi, Paswan addressed student protests at Jantar Mantar demanding an end to the reservation system. He asserted that reservation is not charity but a constitutional provision for social inclusion and the advancement of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Paswan referenced an incident involving Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Uttarakhand to illustrate ongoing discrimination and the need for social justice.

He also responded to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's remarks on Bihar's economy, suggesting the opposition should have presented supporting data during the state Assembly session. The protesters at Jantar Mantar called for economic status to play a larger role in government support and sought changes in how reservation benefits are distributed. More than 50 people protesting against the caste-based reservation policy were detained at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Friday.