Yes, you heard it right! Two retired IAS officers are the forefront of the SC ST act stir in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are believed to create difficulties for BJP in the upcoming Assembly Election Poll bound states.
Samanya Pichda Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj (SAPAKS) led by former Information Commissioner of MP, Hiralal Trivedi and Samata Andolan Samiti (SAS) led by former Deputy Commissioner Sales Tax of Rajasthan, Parashar Narayan Sharma are steering the leadership of government employees organisation campaign against SC ST Amendment Act.
According to the source from Economic Times, the outfit headed by Sharma, who retired from service this March, claims to have about 1.3 lakh members, 8,000 office-bearers and a presence in 2,800 gram panchayats of Rajasthan.
The SAS has been behind legal challenges blocking additional reservation to Gujjars and Meenas in the state beyond the 50% reservation cap fixed by the Supreme Court. Mr. Sharma claims that for making the Bandh a big success, a total of 5 lakh employees out of total 10 lakh government employees took participation.
Mr. Trivedi of SAPAKS claims that 60% of upper caste and obcs are supporting their outfit and this could act detriment against BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Even few sections of BJP has dissent over the reinstatement of the Act. According to NCRB data, 11% of cases under the SC ST Act are proven false in comparison to 9% average in other cases.
About 131 MPs from reserved categories are in BJP and this is the reason why Modi government is remaining silent on the issue. Meanwhile, BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh, Prahlad Singh Patel has expressed debate and discussion over the issue of reinstatement of the Act. Brahmin face and BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, Kalraj Mishra has also expressed his dissent over the negation of Supreme Court order.
In totality the rift has started brewing between the party itself and the government would face the heat in the upcoming assembly elections in two states of MP and Rajasthan. We are very much thankful to the rebellious leader of SAPAKS and SAS for fighting our common cause and we would support you whole heartedly in making the protest a huge success.
Jai Hind!