NEW DELHI: Former prime minister V P Singh announced the Janata Dal would launch an agitation in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh in western and central India for the implementation of the Mandal commission recommendations on job reservations for ‘back wars classes.
Addressing a large rally here, Singh said the Janata Dal and its allies would also pressurise the federal government to bring a legislation to give effect to his government’s decision to reserve 27% Jobs for the backward classes. ‘The rally was organised to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution who also belonged to a backward class, Singh announced a four point programme which the national front and its allies would pursue during the next year, including legislation ‘on the right to work and workers participation in management.
He said a clear division had emerged in the society between those who were fora change in the present iniquitous society and those opposed to it.
We do not want to confine the issue to elections”, he said.
‘The former premier warned social contradictions had to be removed before it was too late. The oppressed sections would otherwise be forced to take to arms to fight for their just demands.
He said that the agitation against Mandal commission was not against reservation but against his government which was seen as the ‘one committed to social change.
Harkishan Singh Surjeet, CPIM Politbureau member, who also addressed the rally declared his party’s support for Singh’s struggle to rid the society of social inequalities.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 14, 1990
