What use is reservation if there are no jobs?: Raj

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray echoed the Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday and questioned the benefits of reservation at a time when no new jobs are being created at the government level, against the backdrop of the recent pro-reservation agitation by the Maratha community.

“As per a recent news report 24 lakh posts in the country are vacant, which means either the government has no money left or it wants to benefit private contractors. If no new jobs are going to be created then what is the benefit even if the reservation is sanctioned? There are no jobs. It is only the politics that is being played in its name,” said Mr. Thackeray, in a party meeting at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Over three-and-half crore people lost their jobs due to demonetisation, he added.

Speaking on the Maratha protest, Mr. Gadkari in Aurangabad, a day ago had said, “Let’s assume the reservation is given. But the government recruitment is frozen. Where are the jobs?”

Mr. Thackeray said that cases have been registered against 7,500 Marathi youth who participated in the agitation. “Will these youngsters now get jobs? These boys hit the streets and get cases against their names which ruins their career. How long will it go on?” he asked.

The MNS chief alleged that ‘outsiders’ too had engaged in violence during the Mumbai bandh called by Maratha organisations. “[Outsiders] do the dirty job and defame the Maratha community. Don’t let that happen. Don’t defame the name of Maharashtra. If you want to earn something, then do it on your own. Don’t take their help,” he said.

‘Treat all religions equally’

Speaking on delays in permissions to public Ganesh mandals, Raj Thackeray said that rules should be same for all religions. “Should we keep idols in cupboards? If silence zone applies to us, then why not the loudspeakers in mosques?” he asked.