Paswan seeks reservation for Dalits in judiciary

While demanding an increase in the number of reserved seats for Dalits, both in the the executive and the legislature, Lok Janshakti Party l...

While demanding an increase in the number of reserved seats for Dalits, both in the the executive and the legislature, Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan today demanded reservation in the judiciary as well. He also asked for a special Dalit regiment in the Armed forces.

He said while there are laws governing reservations for Dalits and protection of their rights, the problem came in their implementation by the judiciary. ‘‘Whenever we have asked for reservation in the judiciary, people think we are mad. But the fact is that all issues pertaining to Dalits get stuck there,’’ he said.

SP holds forth in both Houses for being ‘targeted’

NEW DELHI: The Samajwadi Party protested in the Lok Sabha against what it called ‘‘targeting’’ of its leaders and workers by the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh. Akhilesh Singh led SP members to the well of the House over the issue during zero hour. Ram Sagar, elected from Barabanki, went a step ahead — he squatted in the well demanding security cover for himself and his family in view of threats received by him. In RS, party general secretary and RS MP Amar Singh vented his anger against the discriminatory nature of the raids conducted against his brother’s business establishment. (ENS)

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Initiating a discussion under Rule 193 on atrocities on Dalits in various parts of the country, Paswan took the lead in attacking the Government for not implementing the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission to raise the representation of Dalits, Scheduled Castes and Tribes and Other Backward Classes in Parliament and state Assemblies.

‘‘If it is not possible for the Government to implement the Delimitation Commission recommendations based on the 2001 census for the upcoming general elections, it should at least be done on the basis of the 1991 census.

This will increase the seats reserved for the downtrodden sections in Lok Sabha by upto 20,’’ he said, adding that the view that it would be done on the basis of 1971 elections is not acceptable at all. Paswan threatened to go on a hunger strike in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi or Bhim Rao Ambedkar if the demand is not met. He said that even after 56 years of Independence, the Dalits are being subjected to inequality, discrimination and torture, including murder and rape.

The LJP leader also took on the Government on the issue of job reservation and alleged that SC/ST officers in the External Affairs Ministry are not posted to ‘A’ or ‘B’ class countries but to back of beyond countries where nobody else wants to go.

rime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the gathering during the inauguration of the PM MITRA Park and foundation stone laying ceremony of development works, in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. (@NarendraModi via PTI Photo)

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