Union minister Chirag Paswan on Saturday said the government would engage in dialogue with anti-reservation protesters demonstrating at Delhi's Jantar Mantar once they present their demands in a systematic manner.
A large number of protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar carrying banners, posters and saffron flags and raised slogans against caste-based reservation.
The protesters are demanding that economic criteria, rather than caste, be given precedence in determining eligibility for government support and reservation.
Speaking to reporters in Patna, Paswan said any misunderstanding surrounding reservation could create anger among a large section of the population.
“Once the protesters present their demands systematically, the government will engage in dialogue with them,” he said.
On the demand for reservation based on economic criteria, Paswan said the NDA government had already introduced 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Paswan also accused the Congress of “diverting people's attention” from the Vande Mataram controversy by staging a sit-in outside the Parliament Street police station.
“Holding a protest is allowed under the Constitution, but using one issue to divert attention from other issues is a different thing. The Congress leadership is currently facing questions over the issue of disrespecting Vande Mataram,” he said.
He was referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's dharna at the Parliament Street police station seeking registration of an FIR over pellet injuries allegedly suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab during the CJP-led protests.
“After leading to the washout of the entire Monsoon session over an issue, they resorted to the same issue again after a long gap and tried to use it as a basis to divert attention from another issue that has hurt the sentiments of a large section of the country's population,” Paswan said.
Responding to a question about RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's support for the students' protest in Patna, Paswan said it was “a good thing” and consistent with his responsibility as the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly.
“It would have been better if Tejashwi Yadav had also been present in the House when it was functioning and raised these issues. Albeit late, he is fulfilling his responsibilities as the Leader of Opposition, and that is a good thing,” he said.
Paswan said that despite being part of the government, he tried to “act as a bridge” to ensure that no voices remained unheard by the government.
He also expressed concern over the recent rise in sugar prices, describing it as a matter of concern for the government and saying the issue would be resolved soon.
(With inputs from PTI)