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MPs’ forum demands land for landless SCs

Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI: At a meeting of the Scheduled Caste MPs’ Forum here on Tuesday evening, it was decided to take up its demand of land for the growing number of landless Scheduled Caste families with the Prime Minister and the Group of Ministers on SC Affairs. It was decided to submit a memorandum to the government.

The MPs from various parties got together at the residence of Minister of State for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja to discuss problems of gruelling poverty and social humiliation confronting Dalits even after 60 years after Independence and abolition of untouchability.

Incidents of cruelty

Not a day went without reports of incidents of cruelty against Dalits. And despite job reservation, a large number of reserved positions remained vacant in the government sector, the MPs noted.

Around 35 MPs were present — some came for a while and left before the meeting concluded.

The view was that the forum must unitedly — cutting across party lines — work for the economic and social betterment of Dalits. If they raise their voice together, the forum could help influence government policiy, it was felt.

Several important points were made. While there was no dearth of educated SCs, a large number of reserved positions remained vacant and were later filled by general category candidates. The view was that old prejudices often worked to deny the SCs their constitutional right.

An impassioned plea was also made in favour of rapid urbanisation, for that alone could make a dent on centuries-old prejudices and social practices.

One Minister pointed out that though his entire family was well-educated and financially well-placed, back in his ancestral village in Tamil Nadu, his home was the area marked out for the Dalits. He could not, would not be allowed, to build a home and live next to the so-called caste-Hindus.

That kind of untouchability was difficult to practise in densely-populated urban conglomerations and that was the positive aspect of industrialisation and urbanisation.

“By and large in the villages of India, the Hindu-Aryan system remained firmly entrenched,” he said.

‘Ambedkar misquoted’

It was also pointed out that B.R. Ambedkar was not against reservation for the Backward Classes but that had to be done only after identification of the Other Backward Classes (other than the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) through a commission.

Some BC leaders, it was pointed out, were trying to spread misinformation about Dr. Ambedkar’s views on reservation for Backward Classes.

Dismal conviction rate

The memorandum stated that crimes and violence against the SCs should be seen as crimes against humanity and its genocidal nature should be recognised.

Special courts were needed for speedy disposal of cases. At present the rate of conviction was less than 1 per cent and long delays rendered justice meaningless.

The forum demanded filling up of reserved positions and “exchange” of reserved positions between the SCs and STs.

‘At least 5 acres of land’

Finally, it was noted than landlessness among Dalits was growing. Efforts should be made to give a minimum of five acres of land to each Dalit family and preference should be given to ensure irrigation for these lands.

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