Anti-Anna: SC/ST body demands Bahujan Lokpal Bill
Maroosha Muzaffar Posted online: Thu Aug 25 2011, 03:19 hrs
New Delhi : India Gate on Wednesday witnessed a protest that was
against activist Anna Hazare and his version of the Lokpal Bill.
Udit Raj of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, who
led the protest, demanded a specific anti-graft law for backward
communities. The rally he led wanted to present a draft of the Bahujan
Lokpal Bill to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The rally, which stalled traffic at India Gate and Connaught Place,
demanded that the Prime Minister listen to their issue.
"Of course there is rampant corruption and price rise. But the fight
against it should not undermine the Constitution drafted by B R
Ambedkar," Udit Raj told mediapersons.
Citing his differences with Hazare's agitation, he said: "There are
difference of opinions between what their (Anna Hazare) and our Bill
seeks. We are afraid that in future, people like Anna Hazare can ask
the government to do away with reservation under the threat to commit
suicide or fast-unto-death. This is unacceptable."
The rally took off from the Amar Jawan Jyoti around 5 pm with
protesters carrying photos of Dr Ambedkar.
Madan Gaura, a Class IV government employee who had a flag wrapped
around him, said: "I have one question for Anna Hazare. Why is he
targeting only the three pillars of democracy — the Nyaypalika,
Karyapalika and the Vidhaikpalika (the Judiciary, Executive and
Legislature)? Why is he not including media under the purview of
Lokpal? Is media not corrupt?"
Udit Raj told the gathering that NAC member Aruna Roy was supposed to
address them, but could not join them. He later claimed that the Prime
Minister had agreed to meet four representatives with their demand for
a Bahujan Lokpal Bill, inviting applause from the people.
Traffic congestion was reported in Connaught Place area as the rally
went off route.
Instead of going straight to Parliament Street, the protesters went to
Connaught Place instead, where the Udit Raj supporters lay down on the
road, blocking traffic. Vehicle movement was affected for around 45
minutes.
The situation became tense as a dozen of Anna supporters on
motorcycles tried to disrupt the rally. The police sent them back and
controlled the situation. The rally then went on further to Jantar
Mantar.
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