Arunachal Congress stages demonstration against Centre's reservation policy

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: The State Congress on Saturday organized a dharna at the Indira Gandhi Park here to protest against the BJP's "unconstitutional" stand and "attacking" provision of reservations for STs and other communities.

Hundreds of Congress workers led by APCC chief Nabam Tuki and other office bearers of the party staged the sit-in at the Tennis Ground inside the park demanding that the Centre takes suitable action in enacting a law to protect job security and reservation for the underprivileged SC, ST, OBC and Dalits.

"This is not the first time such dilution has been attempted by the BJP government. Since it comes to power at the Centre, there has been an abolition of the SC/ST sub-plan. There was also an attempt to dilute the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 but the BJP government was compelled to take remedial measures by way of amendment recently, following nationwide protests," Tuki said while addressing the party workers.

He said, over 43,000 cases of atrocities were reported against the Dalits in 2017 as per the NCRB data.

"Nearly 25 per cent of all such cases were reported to have occurred from the BJP ruled state of Uttar Pradesh. This is the latest in a series of attacks on the fundamental rights and existence of our fellow citizens who belong to these protected castes and tribes," Tuki, the former chief minister said.

He said the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other leaders gave their life to India's Constitution which is a living document of democracy and justice.

"The Constitution was enacted not just to mark the end of British rule but also to correct the historical injustices committed by citizens against one another, especially against the downtrodden and the deprived," Tuki said.

The millions, who make up the SC, ST and OBC population, are equal stakeholders in India's democratic process, the APCC chief pointed out.

"The Constitution dedicated an entire chapter to securing the fundamental rights of its citizens. Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) read with Articles 46, 335, 341 and 342 ensure and enshrine the principles of reservation in government jobs, appointments and educational institutions for members of SC, ST and OBC communities. The fundamental and constitutional duty of every government is to ensure protection for SCs, STs and OBCs through reservation in government jobs, positions and educational institutions," he added.

Stating that the long freedom struggle led by Indian National Congress was not only a political movement but one of social reform, Tuki added that It led to India's independence and the carving out of a nation founded upon the intrinsic principles of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity among all castes, creeds and religions.

Former minister James L Wanglat, APCC general secretaries Chera Taya and Mina Toko besides Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) president Geeli Ete also spoke on the occasion.

The party later in the day submitted a memorandum to the President of India through state governor, urging him to ask the Centre to take suitable action to enact a law protecting job security and reservation for the underprivileged sections of the society.

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