Supriya Sule extends veiled support to quota based on economic status

“Let us all have a discussion. Let us ask every stakeholder of this country what he or she thinks about it, and let’s have an open debate on it. We need to have a debate in colleges, in society, on every platform. I would even like to take our quick poll here to find out what they are thinking,” she said, directing at the audience.

When the audience was asked if there should be an economic-background-based reservation or a caste-based reservation, the majority of them voted for the former.

Reacting to this, Sule said, “Thank God, I feel so connected to the Gen Z. I’m going to sleep half an hour more tonight because I feel so connected with my every stakeholder.”

Sule’s remarks come amidst recently concluded intense agitation by the Maratha community seeking OBC status and the Maharashtra government accepting to implement the Hyderabad Gazette. Following this, several other OBC castes such as Banjara and Dhangar are seeking Scheduled Tribes status.

Her interaction has led to the allegations from Prakash Ambedkar led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) of supporting NCP(SP) of economy-based reservation. VBA president Prakash Ambedkar posted on social media site X, “Caste discrimination is the basis of reservation given by Babasaheb and not economic status. The caste-based reservation will continue until the caste-based discrimination will continue.” He however did not name Sule.