Dalits and Tribals apprehensive of the Lokpal

A huge rally in the heart of the Capital asks the government to not meddle with the Constitution

Hardnews Bureau Delhi

Hundreds of Dalits and Tribals marched from Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar on November 28, demanding that their fears be addressed before a strong Lokpal Bill is passed by Parliament. And that any decision should not happen at the cost of the Constitutional measures in place for the backward strata of society. The rally was ignored by almost all the mainstream publications and television channels.

Many Dalit and other backward sections feel left out and they see the Anna Hazare led anti-graft campaign as a ploy to take the attention away from issues concerning affirmative action for them. Also, there have been allegations that the India Against Corruption leadership is anti-Dalit and anti-reservation. Here is the full text of a press statement by the organisers.

Today, hundreds of thousands of Dalits and tribals took out a massive rally under the leadership of Dr Uditraj from Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar for even those causes which could have been fulfilled much before. Progressive citizens regardless of their caste and religion participated and, of course, OBCs and minorities also extended their full solidarity for the cause.

There is increasing awareness in so far as corruption is concerned. Due to corruption, price rise and support of media, this issue has gained phenomenal currency. We are for strong Lokpal Bill but that should not happen at the cost of sovereignty of the people which is vested in the Constitution.

There is no alternative to democracy and hence the need is to improve and revamp the same rather than to discredit it. In a democracy, the government is a byproduct of the society and to see the bureaucracy and politics without linking it to society will be fallacious and such attempts have been made in recent past. It is not the law alone which fulfills its objectives rather the people of the society who apply and it depends on their support as to what extent they are willing to follow it. The Lokpal Bill is going to be enacted and if the dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities are alienated from the beginning, even if we get a strong Lokpal, chances are there that it may fail for lack of cooperation from all sections of the society. Though India is known to be a melting pot of different nationalities, cultures and traditions but caste has not melted away. And in this background, it is of utmost necessity to provide reservation to the SC/ST/OBC and minorities in the Lokpal Committee. Their exclusion will lead to discrimination at the level of investigation and prosecution in the matters of corruption.

Dr Udit Raj spoke that the confederation has already submitted Bahujan Lokpal Bill before the Standing Committee of Parliament and had pressed for the above demand and also strongly advocated for inclusion of NGOs and corporate houses in the ambit of the Lokpal.

Enormous amount of funds are allocated through special component plans for SC and sub-tribal plans for ST but due to corruption and malpractices, the desired level of amelioration of these communities has not been achieved. The government is urged that the Lokpal bill is passed in current Parliament session only but after addressing these genuine demands.