FORMATION
OF NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (NAC)
TO ADVICE SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED TRIBE
LEGISLATORS
In pursuance to the
initiative of S. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha and
vigorous follow up by S. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, former Member of Punjab Legislative
Assembly, a decision was taken to announce the formation of National Advisory
Council (NAC) on 7-8-2015 at New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi-110001 under the
Chairmanship of Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishna former Chief Justice of India. The
newly formed NAC is aimed to act as ‘Think Tank Initiative’ to advice the
legislators belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities on the
issues pertaining these groups at well attended gathering of politicians and socio-political
activists.
Warm regards,
Rajinder Kashyap
New Delhi-110001.
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Formation of National
Advisory Council (NAC) of newly formed SC / ST Legislators and Parliamentarian
on 7-8-2015 at New Maharashtra Sadan, New Delhi is a laudable initiative. S.
Charanjit Singh Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly and former Deputy
Speaker, Lok Sabha is amongst very few legislators who have genuine concern for
the cause.
Few speakers, who might
have been associated with the initiative or chosen to speak, spoke on the
occasion. It appears that Justice K.G. Balakrishnan former CJI was taken by
surprise on the announcement of proposing his name as Chairperson of the NAC.
Few others were nominated as Members. The paramount role and responsibilities
assigned to the newly formed NAC is to act as “Think Tank Group” to aid and
advice the legislators of Union and States on the issues concerning Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribes. Sadly, despite Parliament being in session, very
few Members of Parliament participated in this initiative. Most of the audience
present was socio-political activists.
I do not know how
effective such an arrangement of “Advisory Council” would prove to be in a
multi-party political system of fighting election. In such a system, political
parties give tickets to their member to fight election in a single member
reserved constituency where majority of voters are from upper castes. The
caucus (core group) of almost all political parties is formed mostly by such persons
who generally come from such caste groups which not only act against the
interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but also place every
stumbling block on the fruitful fulfillment of interests of these groups
(Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes). A new trend is being noticed amongst most
of the SC / ST legislators, wherein, they find excuse and assert that they are
not elected only on the votes of SC/ST. Such a travesty shows the concern of
political representatives elected on the reserved seats towards the causes and
concerns of depressed communities who they are suppose to represent. Such
attitude defeats the very purpose of representation in the legislature.
Further, even after being elected
in the post independent era, the voice of a legislator is suppressed under the
provision of issuance of ‘whip’ by the political parties or the novel idea
evolved under the notion of ‘party line’. In other words, the well fought right
of representation has proved ineffective in mitigating the problems of people of
depressed classes. In such a scenario, how effective would be the advice of newly
constituted NAC and how much interest the legislators would show in seeking and
acting upon such advice is a question to which answer lay in the near future.
Dr. Ambedkar aptly analyzed such position in his 489 pages book titled “What
Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables Mr. Gandhi and the
Emancipation of the Untouchables” where he exposed the mentality, thinking
and modus-operandi of upper caste political leaders. He states that on the
issue of selecting representatives for the upper caste to represent them in the
legislature, they select the highly educated persons who have attained deep
knowledge and experience working in society on diverse issues, while on the
other hand, while selecting representatives for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled
Tribes communities, the preference is mostly given to the illiterate persons or
persons who are scantly educated and have no or relatively petty or worthless experience
of working in the political or social or other fields.
I do not agree with the
argument that economic amelioration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
will put an end to their all ailments. Such an argument is a shallow
understanding or in fact no understanding of mechanics of operation of caste
and untouchability in this society. Despite being international scholar Dr.
Ambedkar faced such maligning treatment all his life so is the case of Babu
Jagjiwan Ram, President K.R. Narayanan, CJI K.G. Balakrishnan and many others.
People must not attach any credence to such ideas as they are tactics and strategy
adopted by the opponents to derail any efforts of consolidation of strength of
SCs/STs. One must know that the issue of caste is a social issue, entwined and
cemented in religious, spiritual, cultural and economic ethos of Hindu society.
Attaining political power
without common and sound social base created on the basis of social, religious,
spiritual, cultural union of SCs/STs/OBCs is only an opportunity for individual
progress rather than progress of community. Sadly, no speaker dwelt on this
issue. Generally, most of the politicians are disinterested in dealing with
this issue which is intimately concern social, religious and cultural unity of
people as their objectives are different from those who devote their life for
social causes concerning the live and dignity of hapless people. Creating a
social cohesion amongst various sub-groups of scheduled castes, scheduled
tribes and other backward castes is a pre-requisite for waging any effective
and viable struggle for attainment of human dignity by these groups. The
centrifugal tendencies driven by the loyalties towards the sub-castes groups
amongst scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes have
rendered the political representation ineffective, null and void and render this
hard earned right of representation a powerless tool unable to render any
reprieve to the depressed classes of people. Innumerable examples could be
cited to depict the failure of legislators to come together inside the
legislature in one voice on the issues concerning scheduled castes and
scheduled tribes. The latest example was the failure to pass the reservation amendment
Bill which could not get passed in the former house in UPA-II regime due to
lack of coordination, cohesion and concern amongst scheduled caste and
scheduled tribe members irrespective of their parties.
There is unison agreement amongst
almost all groups that Bharat Rattan Baba Sahib Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is a
Liberator of hapless humanity, thinker par excellence and Global Icon who has
devoted all his life for their causes (See:
Indian Ideology by Perry Anderson, India After Gandhi and Makers of Modern
India by Ram Chander Guha). One must endevour to study him for taking this
movement forward. This is most essential for those who are either
representatives or aspire to become one. His treatise “Annihilation of
Caste” is adjudged amongst 100 Books that can change your life (See: Outlook dated January 12, 2015). Further, if we believe in the ideology
of the great man (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar), we have to believe in it as an integral
whole and not in convenient fragments. Believing in convenient fragment is a
recipe for disaster. In the book cited ibid an explanation of dichotomy of
interests between patricians and plebian groups of people in Roman Empire has
been aptly depicted to demonstrate that till the exploited have an iota of
belief in the exploitative system, they will continue to be exploited by the
exploiters till endless time. Perhaps
this was the reasons why some eminent individuals present in the meeting
vehemently opposed the recitation of mantras by one of the speakers. One has to
prepare well for the occasion and perhaps that is Achilles heel of many of us
as we pay little heed to intellectual pursuits.
Minister of State for
Social Justice had nothing much to state on the occasion but was positive and
receptive to the idea and assured his full support. Few other legislators who
were present and spoke did not come prepared for the occasion and was lacking
ideas. S. Charanjit Atwal, Hon’ble Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha spoke well in
listed a number of burning issues concerning scheduled castes and scheduled
tribes. His observation on adherence to party line and supplying written speech
to legislators by the higher echelons of party core groups was a shameful
reality which render a legislator as a mere toll in the hands of his master. Mr.
Ravan, a social activist from Punjab spoke very well and hit the nail on its
head in his short address.
On the whole, after deliberation
with some eminent individuals, the following few suggestions were listed at
this juncture for kind consideration of the newly formed National Advisory
Council (NAC);
LIST OF SUGGESTIONS FOR NATIONAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL SET UP TO ADVICE LEGISLATORS OF SCHEDULED CASTE AND SCHEDULED
CASTE COMMUNITIES
1.
A declaration through United National’s General Assembly may
be made to celebrate 14th April as 'International Day of Human
Equality' in the 125th Birth Year of Bharat Rattan Baba Sahib Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar;
2.
A stringent legislation
on prevention of atrocities on SC/ST across the country may be enacted by the
Parliament;
3.
Legislation should be enacted by
the Union and State Legislatures on budgetary allocation of funds and its
effective utilization under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan;
4.
A comprehensive legislation should
be enacted to administer and implement reservation for SCs/STs in government
jobs;
5.
Legislation should be brought on
the appointment of judges through more representative system in the higher
judiciary;
6.
Legislation must be brought on
administrative and police reforms holding civil and police administration
accountable towards rule of law rather than loyalty to individuals or political
entities;
7.
An exhaustive legislation to be
enacted for introduction of reservation in all private sector enterprises;
8.
Regulation may be brought on Corporate
Social Responsibility and the financial resource under this must be used for
the benefits of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, physically challenged and
women;
9.
A stringent law to regulate
private educational institution must be brought. They must admit 25% students
from scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities;
10.
A comprehensive law on Tribal’s
rights over land, water, forest and forest produce may be enacted. Such a law
must provide for adequate compensation to Tribal communities on livelihood,
education, employment and dignified life;
11.
Strive to provide for atleast two
residential schools in every Block in the country having science and computer
labs, hostels, play ground, well qualified teachers and modern infrastructure;
12.
Monitor timely disbursement of
stipend and books to eligible candidates and the same must be provided well in
time;
13.
Must work towards social cohesion
amongst the scheduled caste and scheduled tribes and bring them together as firmly
knitted socio-cultural group. Oppose forces who are instrumental in creation of
separate habitations, cremation grounds, community centers and schools on caste
and community lines in almost every areas of this country;
14.
Schemes for awarding scholarship
to meritorious students of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities to
study in eminent foreign universities should be evolved by every state;
15.
Completion of construction work and operationalization of
Ambedkar International Centre must be ensured and a well qualified
administering team may be put into place as on the lines of IIC etc.;
16.
Similar Centers may be established in the each state capital
with adequate budget to perform various academic, researches, cultural and
other activities on the issues relating to depressed communities;
17.
The new building of Supreme Court at New Delhi may be named
after Dr. B.R. Ambedkar;
18.
To bring out a high quality national monthly of serious
discussion-reflecting cross section opinions-may be named. 'Ambedkar Times' on
the pattern of Seminar;
19.
“Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Award for Human Rights”
equivalent to the Nobel Prize may be instituted to be conferred on world
renowned scholar who worked for human rights or champion the cause of human
right or a revolutionary of repute who has contributed in the field of social
Justice and elimination of discrimination;
20.
Publish ‘History / Directory’ of All SC/ST Parliamentarians
Legislators since introduction of Special Representation;
21.
Publish a comprehensive reference book containing all the
debates on the issues of SC/ ST in the Parliament. Similar work may be done in
every state legislature;
22.
Allocate one day in every session of legislature to discuss
and debate problem of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes;
23.
National Commission for Scheduled Caste and National
Commission for Tribal should be vested with more powers to handle cases brought
before it;
24.
Atleast 3 skill development institutions covering various
fields in every district must be set up for training youth in various trades
and professions;
25.
Scheme to provide educational loan through nationalized and
private financial institutions to the students of scheduled caste and scheduled
tribes at cheaper rate of interest with lesser collateral securities may be
evolved by state and central government;
26.
Representation in the administration at higher echelon in
the administration must be ensured either through policy intervention or
through law;
27.
Protection through law may be provided on selling or
acquiring land owned by scheduled caste or scheduled tribe individuals or
families;
28.
May strive for creating common
cultural capital for building social cohesion amongst various sub groups of
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes for waging effective and viable struggle
for attainment of human dignity.
It was
proposed to set up many committees on diverse activities, it is hoped that such
Committees consisting of competent members are set up and assigned specific
issues to work upon with definite time lines to create intellectual input in
assigned areas.
A space is also earmarked
for conducting deliberation of NAC along with relevant bare minimum support
structure.
It is most essential to
provide for financial resource for undertaking this mammoth initiative. It is
suggested that an appeal may be made to every legislator and all other persons
to financially contribute and build a corpus of funds to support various activities.
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