[India] 'Poverty comes by birth, not caste'

from The Hindustan Times

Hitting out against the UPA government's reservation policy, doctor and singer Palash Sen on Monday said the government should rather focus on removing the huge economic disparity in the country than indulging in "vote-bank politics".

"Poverty is the major cause of concern in the country. It has created a deep divide in the society. This needs to be bridged by creating more employment opportunities than enforcing reservation. Poverty comes by birth, not caste," Sen, the lead singer of rock band Euphoria said.

After singer Rabbi Shergill and Art of Living proponent Sri Sri Ravi Shanker, Sen is another celebrity to extend his support to the anti-reservation campaign.

"It is appalling to see that the political leaders are leading the nation towards path of destruction," Sen said on the sidelines of his troupe's performance at a musical concert on Sunday night along with Pakistani rock band Strings.

"These politicians partitioned our nation on the basis of religion. Now they are dividing the country on caste basis. While we are trying to bridge the communal divide by having Pakistani rock band Strings perform with us," Sen, whose troupe members sported black arm bands to protest the Government decision, said.

He also objected to every political leader rushing abroad for medical treatment. "This shows that they themselves don't have faith in our doctors," Sen said adding, "they continue to harness vote bank politics."