Dalits push their version of Lokpal bill
October 15th, 2011 - 9:20 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 15 (IANS) A representative of Dalit organisations Saturday sought support for their version of the anti-graft bill, claiming that the Jan Lokpal bill drafted by Team Anna “will disturb the constitutional balance”.
“The Jan Lokpal bill wants the executive, the judiciary and the legislature should report to the Lokpal. This will disturb the fine constitutional balance,” said All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations chairman Udit Raj, seeking support for their version of the proposed legislation called the Bahujan Lokpal bill.
Speaking at a seminar, he sought reservation for Dalits and minorities in the proposed anti-corruption set-up through the Bahujan Lokpal bill. “If Anna supports our demand, we will back him.”
“Dalits, including the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and minorities, form a large percentage of population and must be involved in the Lokpal,” Udit Raj said at the seminar on various versions of the proposed legislation.
Swami Agnivesh, a former member of Team Anna, also supported the demand for a quota for Dalits and minorities in the proposed Lokpal set-up.
“No legislation or movement will be successful if it does not have social justice,” said Agnivesh.
Shazia Ilmi, a member of Team Anna, said, “our movement follows parliamentary procedures” and “was not opposed to giving reservation to the Dalits and minorities”.
“We are basically against corruption and want a strong Lokpal,” said Shazia.
Udit Raj said even if the Lokpal bill was passed, “there is no guarantee it will be effective in rooting out corruption”.
The parliamentary standing committee on law and justice headed by Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi is looking into various drafts of the Lokpal bill, including the Jan Lokpal bill.
The panel is expected to submit its recommendations to parliament by the winter session, which is usually held in November-December.
- Dalit groups submit their version of Lokpal bill - Sep 02, 2011
- Dalits to rally for Bahujan Lokpal bill - Aug 24, 2011
- Anna's support for Dalits half hearted: Udit Raj - Nov 11, 2011
- 'Include Dalits, minorities in Lokpal panel' - Sep 20, 2011
- Not against Anna, want representation in Lokpal: Dalit group - Aug 26, 2011
- Dalits protest against Jan Lokpal bill - Aug 24, 2011
- Lokpal panel likely to finalise report Nov 30 - Nov 28, 2011
- A protest against Team Anna goes unheeded - Dec 11, 2011
- Black flags to PM not at our behest: Team Anna - Jan 01, 2012
- No delay on Lokpal bill: Singhvi - Dec 06, 2011
- Experts differ with Jan Lokpal bill provisions - Sep 25, 2011
- Fasting Anna ready for talks, but on his Lokpal (Evening Lead) - Aug 21, 2011
- Lokpal panel finalises report, Team Anna rejects it - Dec 07, 2011
- BSP backs Anna, Lokpal heat is on government (Roundup) - Dec 13, 2011
- Lokpal panel hears Aruna Roy - Sep 23, 2011
Tags: abhishek, castes, confederation, corruption, dalit, dalits, judiciary, law and justice, manu, minorities, New Delhi, organisations, parliamentary procedures, parliamentary standing committee, quota, shazia, social justice, swami, tribes, winter session