MNS Chief Raj Thackeray: Caste-based reservations should be scrapped

Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday said reservation based on the caste should be scrapped.

"Reservation based on the caste should be scrapped. The reservation should be given only for the economically backward. Whenever I get the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), I will request him to give reservation to those who are economically backward irrespective of the caste," Raj said while addressing a gathering.

He alleged that former Prime Minister V P Singh was the "culprit" who brought in the reservation system and "poisoned" the country.

Meanwhile, he praised the Maratha community for taking out "disciplined" protest marches across the state.

"Such 'morchas' (protest marches) were never taken out in the country and the state," he added.

The MNS chief also took a jibe at Congress-NCP asking why no reservation was given to the community when the two parties were in power.

The members of the Maratha community are taking out protest marches to press for their demands which include stern action against the culprits of Kopardi rape and murder case, reservations for the community and scrapping of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The silent marches began after the alleged rape and murder of a Maratha girl by some Dalits youths at Kopardi in July.

Congress-NCP ruled Maharashtra from 1999-2014.