Govt Will Talk To Anti-quota Protesters After They Present Demands Systematically: Chirag

Union minister Chirag Paswan has said that 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 had gathered at Jantar Mantar carrying banners, posters and saffron flags and raised slogans against caste-based reservation.

The protesters are demanding that economic criteria be given precedence over caste in determining eligibility for government support and reservation.

Talking to reporters in Patna on Saturday, Paswan said, "Any sort of misunderstanding around reservation can create anger among a large section of the country's population. Once the protesters present their demands systematically, the government will engage in dialogue with them." On the demand for quota on economic basis, Paswan said the NDA government had already introduced 10 per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

He also accused the Congress of "diverting people's attention" from the Vande Mataram row by staging a sit-in outside the Parliament Street police station in the national capital.

"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.

Responding to a question on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's support to 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.

He also expressed concern over the recent rise in sugar prices and said the issue would be resolved soon.