Panel to probe MP ‘posing’ as Dalit for elections

The panel chairman said investigations had proved that Munshi Ram, as the law-maker likes to call himself, had called himself a non-Dalit in court. He did so when he had to sell a piece of land in his native Nagina village in Bijnore. Under UP law, a Scheduled Caste can sell his land only to a member of his community

Yet, Munshi Ram was elected last year from a seat reserved for SCs on a Rashtriya Lok Dal ticket. Bhan has demanded a CBI probe adding that the SC Commission has summoned the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, who have agreed to provide records relating to Munshi Ram’s case as well as many other similar cases.

The MP, who says the panel is playing into the hands of his rivals, insists he belongs to the “Khatike (SC) baridari” and wants the commission to hear him out. He admits he had not filled the mandatory papers when he sold his land, but says: “Just because I did not declare myself an SC while selling a piece of land does not change my identity.’’