’Need quota in Lokpal’

Says Dalit leader Dr Udit Raj, claims Anna's Bill does not include minorities

'Need quota in Lokpal'

Says Dalit leader Dr Udit Raj, claims Anna's Bill does not include minorities

While the nation is rocking with slogans supporting the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, here is a group of people who have taken a route diametrically opposite.

The other side: Udit Raj-led Samvidhan Bachao Rally against Anna
Hazare's Jan Lokpal Bill, at India Gate on Wednesday. PIC/Imtiyaz Khan

Carrying out an anti-Anna rally, a crowd of hundreds comprising Dalits, backward communities and minorities marched to India Gate, in a bid to "save the Constitution and protest the methodology of agitation of Team Anna".

Against the tide: Activists of Samvidhan Bachao Rally against Anna
Hazare at India Gate in the Capital on Wednesday.u00a0 Pic/Imtiyaz Khan

Dr Udit Raj, national chairman of All India confederation of SC/ST Organisations, addressed the rally and told people why they were against the Gandhian. "I am not against the cause, but the method of their approaching it. The Anna-led movement is a threat to democracy and undermines the supremacy of the Constitution," said Raj.

This, however, is not the only point where the Dalit leader disagrees with Anna and his supporters. He argues the Jan Lokpal Bill does not include all classes of the society and Anna definitely does not represent the entire India.

"I know corruption is a rampant evil and should be eradicated from the roots. Yet, we cannot let a Lokpal Bill that is based on the demands of one man and the so-called civil society members to come up. The Bill forwarded by Anna is lopsided and does not include all people, including about 80 per cent of Dalits and backward classes," said the former IRS officer.

The Dalit leader is also prepared to present an all-inclusive Bahujan Lokpal Bill, "that will root out corruption at all levels and represent people from all strata of society". Though Udit Raj the crowd raised anti-Anna slogans such as 'Anna Hazare chor hai', Raj was firm he did not want to malign Hazare.

"I totally believe in the words of legendary Dalit leader Dr B R Ambedkar, who said people protesting for their rights must not go against the Constitution, which contains the law of the land. What about reservation of backward classes in the hare-brained Jan Lokpal?" he said.