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Journalism of Courage
The controversy surrounding his tribal identity is back to haunt CM Ajit Jogi in the election year. The Chhattisgarh HC has directed the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Commission and the CM to appear before it for three days from November 4 for hearing on a petition relating to the case.
It was only two days ago that a court at Shahdol Madhya Pradesh had sent notices to the CM on a complaint relating to his caste, filed by Lok Sabha member Dalpat Singh Paraste, and the Opposition BJP had come out on the streets, burning his effigies. His arch-rival Vidya Charan Shukla had convened a press conference, asking for the CM8217;s resignation.
The Commission had recommended cancellation of his ST certificate and initiation of criminal action. But Jogi challenged the jurisdiction of the Commission and obtained a stay on October 22, 2001.
Justice L.C. Bhadoo heard Jogi8217;s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi yesterday who claimed that the Commission had no powers to pass such orders and opposed its plea for vacation of the stay.
ASG Raju Ramchandran maintained that the Commission had acted within its powers to pass the order. 8216;8216;It is actually the state government, which was directed to initiate action against Jogi,8217;8217; he said.
He argued that the High Court should hear their plea that sought to vacate the stay on the execution of the
Commission8217;s order. Opposing it, Singhvi said it was not possible as the court had ordered a final hearing. The judge ordered that the court will hear the matter on November 4, 5 and 6.
This spells double trouble for Jogi, as the state is scheduled to go to polls in November or early December. Sources say that even within the Congress, two senior leaders Shyama Charan Shukla and Moti Lal Vohra have warned the party leadership of the adverse impact of the caste controversy.
