Addressing a press conference here, Paswan also criticised the Congress-led opposition for its “selective criticism” of the ruling NDA and accused previous governments of failing to fill reserved seats for the scheduled castes. (Photo: PTI)
Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Tuesday claimed that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has reaffirmed its “commitment to SCs, STs and OBCs” by asking the UPSC to withdraw the advertisement for “lateral entry” into the bureaucracy.
Addressing a press conference here, Paswan also slammed the Congress-led opposition for its “selective criticism” of the ruling NDA and accused previous governments of failing to fill reserved seats for the scheduled castes.
“I thank my Prime Minister for having requested the cancellation of the lateral entry on behalf of my Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) party. This government has set a precedent. Hopefully, future regimes will show similar sensitivity towards public sentiments,” Paswan said.
Asked about the criticism the government is facing over the issue, he said, “When the opposition points fingers at us, it should remember that three fingers are being pointed at itself. Why did these parties, while in power, ensure recruitments for reserved posts for SCs, STs and OBCs?”
“The current government has been in power for only ten years, but the opposition has been busy with selective criticism, targeting only the NDA. Just look at their silence on the horrific rape (of a doctor, before she was murdered) in neighbouring West Bengal,” he said.
Paswan, whose late father Ram Vilas Paswan was one of the country’s tallest Dalit leaders, also said, “My party understands the sentiment behind and is in favour” of the Bharat Bandh called by SC and ST groups on Wednesday in protest against the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on reservations.
He dodged a direct question on whether his party will participate in the rally, but said: “From day one we have opposed layered division into scheduled castes as they are not only victims of social and educational backwardness but also of untouchability.”
“Even after so many years of independence, Dalit brides are still prevented from riding horses during weddings. I heard of an IAS officer who was seeking security for his own marriage,” Paswan said.
Asked about the Wakf Bill issue, he said, “My party was in favour of sending the legislation to a parliamentary committee for necessary deliberations. Fortunately, the government has done the same. We are expecting an improved version of the Bill.”
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First published: August 20, 2024 | 15:44 IS
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