I have been elected to the Rajya Sabha as a member of the Indian Lok Dal. I am proud that I was born in an
OBC caste. I am also proud of my caste. I have been elected to the Rajya Sabha because I am from an OBC caste and I will do everything possible to raise the voice of the OBCs in the Rajya Sabha and try my best to
ensure that they get justice. The presence of the OBCs in politics is not in keeping with their population. This is unfortunate. To my mind, this is because of a lack of education and political awareness. That is why they are lagging behind.
The reservations that they entitled to for their empowerment have also not been implemented in full measure. The 27 per cent reservation should apply to all categories of government jobs – from class one to class four. But presently, there is reservation only for class three and four posts. I will demand the extension of its coverage to class one and two posts. I assure you that if the ILD forms its government in Haryana, OBCs will get reservations in all categories of government jobs. It is the duty of the central and state governments to provide reservations. In my view, reservations should be given on economic basis but there should be no slashing of the 27 per cent reservation being given to the OBCs. If the OBC reservations are reduced I hold the Congress governments at the state and centre responsible for this. The two governments neither implemented the reservation policy properly nor made any efforts to educate the OBCs. As for the atrocities
committed on the Dalit girls in Bhagana, the guilty should be punished.Our party ILD will help the girls every possible way and we will raise their voice in the Rajya Sabha.
In the elections to the 16th Lok Sabha, we have nominated two OBC candidates – one from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh Lok Sabha constituency and the other from Kurukshetra constituency. We have also fielded a minority-community member from Gurgaon-Rewadi Lok Sabha constituency and a Dalit leader, Kusum Sherwal, from Ambala.
As far as the Haryana Assembly elections, due this year, are concerned, our party will give 27 per cent of the tickets to OBCs. This is certain. This year, my party has sent me to the Rajya Sabha. Last time too, our party
had sent another OBC, Ranvir Singh Prajapat (Gangwa), to the Rajya Sabha.
Based on a conversation with Sanjya Mann, Narnaul correspondent of FORWARD Press
Published in the June 2014 issue of the Forward Press magazine
Based in New Delhi, India, ForwardPress.in and Forward Press Books shed light on the widespread problems as well as the finer aspects of Bahujan (Dalit, OBC, Adivasi, Nomadic, Pasmanda) society, literature, culture and politics. Next on the publication schedule is a book on Dr Ambedkar’s multifaceted personality. To book a copy in advance, contact The Marginalised Prakashan, IGNOU Road, Delhi. Mobile: +919968527911.
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