Accusing the government of trying to disturb the social harmony by providing reservation to converted Muslims and Christians, leader of opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani on Monday said economic status should be the only criteria for grant of quota.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader also criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his reported remark sometime back that minorities have the first right on the country's resources.
Addressing a party demonstration in Delhi against proposed inclusion of converted Muslims and Christians in Scheduled Castes category, Advani targeted the United Progressive Alliance government on his reservation policy.
Inclusion of converted Muslims and Christians in the SC category will entitle them to reservation.
"The UPA government is trying to disturb the social harmony of the country by providing reservation for converted Muslims and Christians, " he alleged.
He said Congress party has "always benefitted the Muslims. It is time they thought about the Dalits."
BJP president Rajnath Singh said SCs and STs are still bearing the social stigma "owing to the Congress party's poorly-planned policies."
Reservation for converted Muslims and Christians will further part the benefit from SC and STs, he said.
"Reservation should be given to the people suffering due to social taboos, not on the basis of minority," he added.
