The Government tables a resolution to this
effect amidst protests from BJP
LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Government on Monday
tabled a resolution in the Assembly, demanding
that the Centre include Dalit Muslims and Dalit
Christians in the Scheduled Caste category by
deleting Clause 3 of the Constitutional (Scheduled
Castes) Order, 1950.
The move drew an instant reaction from the Bharatiya
Janata Party members. They stormed the well
of the House, protesting against the manner
in which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mohd
Azam Khan tabled the resolution. This forced
the Speaker to adjourn the House.
The resolution was tabled amid uproarious scenes
and even as the Bahujan Samaj Party members
were staging a dharna in the well in protest
against the Parliamentary Affairs Minister's
accusation that the Ambedkar statue's desecration
in Kanpur was masterminded by the BSP. The BSP
had earlier demanded a CBI inquiry into the
Kanpur incident. Leader of the Opposition Lalji
Tandon and the Congress supported the BSP's
demand.
Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said action
had been taken in the form of arrest of the
culprits and suspension of the Kanpur SSP and
Kakadeo Station House Officer.
The resolution said all sections listed in the
Scheduled Caste category, under Article 341
of the Constitution, should be extended reservation
benefits, irrespective of to which religion
they belonged. All classes of Scheduled Castes,
including Muslims or Christians, should be given
the same benefit. Denial of such benefit to
Dalit Muslims and Christians not only violated
Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution,
but was also against the principles of justice.
The resolution said it was the firm belief of
the Government that just as religion cannot
form the basis of quota benefits, denial of
these rights to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians,
solely on the basis of their religion, also
violated the Constitution.
While the BJP members stormed Speaker Mata Prasad
Pandey's chamber during the adjournment period,
the Parliamentary Affairs Minister defended
the Government move. He told newsmen that the
BJP was opposing the resolution because of the
word "Muslim." The tabling of the
resolution figured in the House business agenda
for the day.
Earlier, the entire question hour was lost after
the House was adjourned after five minutes of
re-assembling following tumultous scenes with
the BSP, Congress and BJP demanding a discussion
on the Kanpur incident. They entered the well
when the BSP members were staging a dharna.
Raising the issue when the House reassembled
at 1.15 p.m., Swamy Prasad Maurya (BSP) alleged
that the Government was trying to sweep the
issue under the carpet. Demanding a CBI inquiry,
Mr. Maurya demanded the Chief Minister's resignation
on moral grounds. Supporting him, Pramod Tiwari
(Congress) said escalation of violence in Maharashtra
in reaction to the Kanpur incident was an issue,
which should be investigated.
Mr. Tandon wanted rules to be framed for setting
up statues.
Mulayam's assurance
The Chief Minister accused the BSP of politicising
the issue with an eye on the coming polls. Dr.
Ambedkar was a national leader and the BSP was
turning him into a leader of particular caste
and party, he said
http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/05/stories/2006120503541000.htm
