By Andalib Akhter
New Delhi : LJP leader and union minister for steel and chemical and fertiliser Ram Vilas Paswan today echoed the Mayawati demand for providing reservation to Muslim and Christian Dalits under Schedule caste quota. ” If dalit Hindu, dalit Sikh Dalit Budhist can get reservation under the category why not Dalit Muslims and Christians”? Paswan asked.
Talking to this correspondent Paswan said he would take up the issue with government soon.
Chief Minister Mayawati demanded a constitutional amendment for quota benefits to Dalit Muslims and Christians without upsetting the present package for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she sought reservation for all SCs and STs who had converted to Islam or Christianity and enhancing the present quota limit (7.5 per cent for STs and 15 per cent for STs) to above 50 per cent.
The letter said that the “reservation facility” for Dalit Muslims and Christians was required as their social and economic condition was equally bad as that of SCs and STs.
Mr. Paswan also demanded immediate arrest of the ‘Bal Thakrey family’ for promoting divisive politics in the country. “These group of father, son and nephew are threatening the unity and integrity of the country and stern action must be taken against them” he said adding these people always create trouble between Marathis and non Marathis.
Raj Thakrey recently termed the ‘Chatt’ festival mostly celebrated by people of Bihar and UP as drama and asked the faithfuls not to celebrate in Maharashtra. ” if Marathi will be in Delhi will they not celebrate Ganesh Chturtyi here”? he asked Mr Paswan also said that Bal Thakrey should not go unpunished in Mumbai riot case.
Meanwhile Congress leader and UP in-charge Digvijay Singh has also backed Mayawati’s demand on the subject. In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Mr Singh also endorsed the BSP chief’s demand for raising the limit of overall reservations to above 50%.