NEW DELHI: Parliamentarians ranging from Ram Vilas Paswan of the Janata Dal and Bibhu Kumari of the Congress(I) to Ratilal Verma of the BJP and Ms. Mayawati of the BSP warned that if atrocities against SC/STs continued to go unpunished the backlash would be terrible and Naxalite and secessionists would hold sway.

They were speaking at the national convention of SC-ST MPs and MLAs which began in an enthusiastic and fraternal atmosphere.

The resolution on atrocities and un-touch ability introduced by Paswan called for article 356 to be used to dismiss governments which failed to protect SC-STs and noted weaknesses in the SCST (prevention of atrocities) act 1989 such as its failure to take account of such atrocities as social or economic boycott or blackmail.

The speakers assailed the talk of merit. Pius Tirkey of the RSP said only those who lied cheated and robbed got ahead as leaders. He said rights were not obtained by asking but by snatching them.

Chavda from Gujarat asked if all the top posts of the country being occupied by one caste was not casteist.

The convention brought together 352 former and current MPs and MLAs. Among the distinguished gathering on the stage in the morning were a host of ministers including P.A.Sangma P.K.Thungon V.S.Arunachalam G.Venkat Swamy and Ram Lal Rahi.

Also among them was the AICC() general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde K.R.Narayanan the former CWC members Maraga than Chandrashekhar and Jagannath Pahadia and the organizers Ram Vilas Paswan Buta Singh Arvind Netam H.Hanumanthappa and Mukul Wasnik.

Kanshi Ram and Mayawati of the BSP were there as were Sangha Priya Gautam Ratilal Verma and Kalka Das among the BJP MPs. A number of ministers from Maharashtraand Uuar Pradesh and other states were also there.

Most speakers spoke of it’s as a historic day and hoped to extend the activities of the forum which brings together MPs across party lines to discuss their special issues

Kalka Das wanted to take this pattern to the panchayat level and one speaker said they belonged to their various parties for six months around elections and should concentrate on the forums issues for four years between

While the political resolution is to be taken up talk of having a president from among the SC-ST ranks came up sporadically in the speeches but Netam in the chair held it in check.

According to senior leaders the formulation of this delicate part of the political resolution was still being finalized but was likely to simply recall the demand which had already been made rather than take it any further.

The resolution on atrocities noted that Christians of SC origin were subjected to atrocities. It also called for exclusive special courts for these crimes.

The resolution notes that while SC-STs are efficiently prosecuted and punished when they retaliate against atrocities perpetrators of crimes against them are not brought to book.

It notes the increase in such atrocities as the resistance among SCs has grown.

A number of speakers addressed this point and emphasized the need to organize and resist these atrocities united and determinedly.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1992