Not against Anna, want representation in Lokpal: Dalit group
August 26th, 2011 - 11:10 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) Two days after they took out an anti-Jan Lokpal bill rally, the Dalit group leading the protest Friday clarified that they were not against Anna Hazare and only wanted representation in the Lokpal.
In a press-conference here, chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations Udit Raj said the rally was not against Anna Hazare.
“There are misgivings that the rally of 24th August was against Anna Hazare’s campaign, but that is not true,” Raj said here.
“From our rally it was asked to those who crafted the Jan Lokpal Bill why did they not include corporate houses, media and NGOs? Annaji was asked why he kept silent when north Indians in Maharashtra and Muslims in Gujarat were targeted and brutalized? He was also asked to express his views on reservation for Dalits,” he added.
The group also presented its own version of the anti-graft bill, the Bahujan Lokpal bill and demanded representation for all groups and society in the Lokpal.
“In the Lokpal committee, the representation of Dalits, backward castes and minorities should be there, as it is in the government services,” Raj said.
“Our society is not only caste ridden but at the same time it is multicultural and religious also. So the representation of each major community should be taken care of. The corruption is more social in nature than political, therefore, without addressing it, there is no possibility to weed it out,” he said.
The group also demanded inclusion of corporate houses, NGOs and the media in the ambit of the bill.
- Dalit groups submit their version of Lokpal bill - Sep 02, 2011
- Dalits protest against Jan Lokpal bill - Aug 24, 2011
- Anna's support for Dalits half hearted: Udit Raj - Nov 11, 2011
- Dalits to rally for Bahujan Lokpal bill - Aug 24, 2011
- 'Include Dalits, minorities in Lokpal panel' - Sep 20, 2011
- Dalits push their version of Lokpal bill - Oct 15, 2011
- Lokpal panel likely to finalise report Nov 30 - Nov 28, 2011
- A protest against Team Anna goes unheeded - Dec 11, 2011
- Udit Raj welcomes decision on Lokpal reservations - Dec 21, 2011
- No delay on Lokpal bill: Singhvi - Dec 06, 2011
- Mayawati wants Dalit on Lokpal Bill committee (Lead) - Apr 22, 2011
- No differences with IAC, we work together: Hazare's old aides - Jan 09, 2012
- Anna to move to Ramlila ground Friday - Aug 18, 2011
- Hundreds join car rally for Lokpal - Dec 04, 2011
- Anna Hazare to address rally in Mumbai Tuesday - Aug 08, 2011
Tags: ambit, anna hazare, annaji, caste, castes, confederation, corporate houses, corruption, dalit, dalits, government services, gujarat, maharashtra, minorities, misgivings, muslims, New Delhi, raj, rally, udit