RSS chief Bhagwat to ask Centre to include Matang community in ST category

Nagpur: Almost a year after his remarks on reservation had triggered a political slugfest, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat  said on Thursday he would ask government to expedite “appropriate decision” regarding inclusion of Matang community, a dalit caste, in ST category. “People in the government often meet me as ‘Sarsanghchalak’. I will take up the issue of various pending demands of Matang community with the government,” he said addressing a function organised by the community. Bhagwat said the RSS will tell the government to take “appropriate decision at the earliest on their (Matang community’s) demand for inclusion in ST category”. “Matang community, which is part of Hindu community, should not remain neglected. Start right from education and remove hurdles in helping the community,” he said. Bhagwat’s remark assumes significance in view of the BJP’s efforts to forge social engineering in Uttar Pradesh where Assembly elections are due next year. [caption id=“attachment_2853462” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Mohan Bhagwat. AFP[/caption] In an interview to RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’ on 21 September last year, Bhagwat had pitched for a review of the quota policy — contending that it has been used for political ends — and suggested that an apolitical committee be set up to examine who needs such benefits and for how long. However, RSS later clarified that he did not speak about existing quota system but said everybody should try to ensure that all weaker sections reap its benefits. Meanwhile, he told the gathering that Sangh, the ideological mentor of BJP, neither controls the government nor monitors its functioning. “Sangh does not run the government but yes its ‘swayayamseaks’ are legislators and ministers today,” the RSS chief said. He said the “space and difference between communities in society got widened after independence. “Water, religious place and crematorium should be equal for all Hindus and RSS is trying for it,” Bhagwat said. He refrained from commenting on the issue of reservation, saying “if I speak, it becomes a controversy and therefore I would not comment on it”. Bhagwat said religious conversions take place due to “the neglect and ‘udasinta’ (indifference) of Hindu community”.