No quota relook, knowledge panel not above law, I pity them: Arjun

“They do not need to speak to any of us. Let them decide and the country will follow them if they are above the Constitution. They do not know that there is a Parliament and there is a law passed by Parliament also. If they are unaware, then I can only pity them,” he said.

Singh’s fresh attack followed his criticism of NKC chairman Sam Pitroda for opposing reservation in Central educational institutions.

Yesterday, Singh had said: “The chairman of the Knowledge Commission says he was unaware of the Constitutional amendment (on reservation). If he is that ignorant, how can he be the chairman of the Knowledge Commission?”

Today, asked whether a Bill is expected in the current session of Parliament, Singh rejected suggestions for a “relook” into the proposals and said: “This is entirely for the Cabinet to decide. As soon as the Prime Minister allows it to be brought before the Cabinet, a decision will be taken.”

Singh dismissed as “propaganda” attempts to project the anti-reservation agitation as Mandal II: “There is no Mandal II, III or IV. It is all propaganda to vitiate the whole atmosphere.”

Despite widespread protests, Singh said: “We are a democracy and not a banana republic. You cannot hijack the process and browbeat me. There is no need for desperation and anger. The issues can be resolved with patience.”

“Through protest and one-sided actions, we cannot resolve the issue. There is neither a need nor is it proper to disturb peace. Nobody is talking of removing the students who are studying in the institutions at present,” he said.

On the middle-path advocated by party leader Rahul Gandhi, who had said that both those in favour of and opposed to quota have “valid points”, he said: “A middle path can only be found in a calm and cool atmosphere and not when lathis are being used by one side and slogans by the other.”

Trying to placate the agitating students, he added: “I am always willing to talk to protesting students.”

Singh also condemned the lathicharge on students who were agitating against reservation and said if people want to make their point peacefully, they had the right to do so.

“Lathi is not the answer to anything,” he said, appealing to students to maintain calm.

On his future strategy in the wake of the agitation, he said, “If there is no understanding in society, no strategy works. The issue can be resolved through talks. If there are people who did not get anything, they have to be given something, which is to be decided.”

He claimed that no party was against the proposal which had been passed in the Lok Sabha with near unanimity. “If anyone wants to change his stand, he is free to do so,” he said.

He also refused to give any clarification on the quota proposal. He said he would explain, if asked, in the Cabinet and Parliament. “I cannot give it outside (the Cabinet and the Parliament).”

To a question on the President and Prime Minister talking about increasing seats in the educational institutions as a possible solution, Singh said that many people have said so many things about it.

“I welcome them all. The Cabinet is an instrument and Parliament is sovereign and both together would have to decide on the issue,” he said.