The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisation was formed in 1997 under the leadership of Dr. Udit Raj. From that time, we have been fighting for the rights of Dalits and Adivasis. A social movement has its limitations, keeping this in mind Dr. Udit Raj decided to fight for the movement politically. He started his own political party, but due to the lack of resources and expected support from society, Dr. Udit Raj joined the Bharatiya Janta Party before the General Elections in 2014, and became a Member of the Lok Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, he raised issues relating to Dalits, Adivasis and the poor. He has raised issues relating to reservation in promotion, validity of caste certificate of one state throughout the country, SCP/TSP, reservation in minority institutions such as the Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islaima University, participation of Dalits in small and medium enterprises, scholarships for SC/ST students as well as issues relating to discrimination against SC/ST students in Parliament. He has also introduced a private member Bill for reservation in promotion in Parliament, as well as Bills seeking to provide free hostel facility to SC/ST students, benefits to unemployed youth etc.
A brief note about the achievements of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations under the leadership of Dr. Udit Raj is being given below.
In 1997, 5 anti reservation orders were issued on 30th January, 2nd July, 22nd July, 13th August and 29th July; the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations was formed to fight against these orders. Under the banner of the Confederation, the first rally was held on 26th November 1997, second on 16th November 1998, third on 13th December 1999 and the fourth on 11th December 2000 in Delhi. Due to these rallies, an environment of revolution gripped the country, and the Government bowed down before this.
Due to this movement by the Confederation, the anti-reservation orders were withdrawn. On one hand, reservation in Government service was saved, but due to outsourcing and privatisation, these rights are also being lost. In 2000, there were approximately 40 lac SC/ST employees working in the Central and various State Governments; now this number has shrunk approximately to 27 lac. Now our participation cannot continue without reservation in private sector. No other scheme or policy even comes close to providing benefits we have received through reservation in Government service. In Lok Sabha, due to reservation, there are 122 SC/ST Members of Parliament, which means empowerment of 122 families. In the 28 states of country, 4109 MLAs are elected; due to reservation, approximately 900 SC/ST MLAs are elected, which means empowerment of 900 families here as well. At present, there are 27 lac employees in Government service, which means social and economic upliftment of these families. Now most jobs are being generated in the private sector, hence to call the fight for reservation in private sector the second battle of independence is not an exaggeration. When SC/STs enter the private sector through reservation, they will also understand the ways of doing business.
Due to the 81st Constitutional Amendment, a new Article 16(4) (b) was introduced in the Constitution, due to which recruitment to backlog vacancies was started. Due to the orders dated 29th August 1997, backlog vacancies could not be filled as the Supreme Court had ordered that not more than 50% of the total seats to be filled up be reserved. Due to this Amendment, lacs of people were benefited and many unemployed also got jobs. This misconception should not arise that the movement was only for SC/ST officers. Due to the 82nd Constitutional Amendment, a necessary amendment was made in Article 335 of the Constitution, which was changed by the anti-reservation order issued on 22nd July; under which relaxation given in Departmental examinations was withdrawn. The 85th Constitutional Amendment nullified the anti-reservation orders issued on 30th January 1997 due to which seniority and other benefits given to SC/ST employees were withdrawn. Thousands of employees in Indian Railways were demoted. A problematic situation was also created in various states including Punjab and Haryana. It was also due to our efforts that laws for reservation were passed in Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir.
Two anti-reservation orders are yet to be withdrawn. The post based roster was implemented from 2nd July 1997. Due to this, Dalits employees can be placed or promoted only to posts according to roster points. The earlier roster was 40 points, according to which 1st point was for SCs and 4th for STs for recruitment. In the new roster, SCs and STs are at 7th and 14th positions respectively; which means if there are 5 or 6 vacancies, no SC would be recruited, and if there are 13 vacancies, only 1 SC would be recruited. While talking to many senior officers, I was surprised to learn that they do not know the benefits they would get if the 77th Constitutional Amendment was passed.
On 16th November 1992, in the Mandal judgment, the Supreme Court has said that reservation in promotion not be given to SCs. To nullify this, the 77th Constitutional Amendment was introduced in June 1995. The wordings of the Amendment clearly state that reservation in promotion be given at every post and every stage. On 13th August 1997, the DOPT OM stated that reservation in promotion be given only as was continuing at that time; which means reservation in promotion would continue only at the lower levels. If the Constitutional Amendment was implemented, then at senior positions such as IAS, IPS etc. SC/STs could have been promoted to top positions such as Heads of Departments, Secretaries to the Government of India, Chairman Railway Board etc. It is apparent that only class III and class IV employees are at the forefront of the struggle, the benefits of which go to the entire soceity as well employees of other classes. Supreme Court judges also aggravated the situation and forced general category people and organisations to file a review petition against these three Constitutional Amendments, which was fought for them by top lawyers of the Supreme Court. On the other hand, the Confederation was the only one fighting, which made me realise the selfishness of Dalit society. Secondly, misconceptions are so high in this society that many employees feel they have done a lot after celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti in their offices; they are also prone to spreading nonsense.
On 4th November 2001, lacs of people took Deeksha to Buddhism under the banner of the Confederation. The intention was to gather 10 lac people at the Ramlila Maidan, Delhi to begin this cultural revolution. The Government of that time not only got cancelled the permission for the function at the Ramlila Maidan, but also used the police machinery to intimidate people coming to join the function. The fight for respect will not be won if a cultural revolution cannot be brought about by changing the mindset of people. This cultural change was brought about only by the Confederation, and those who had received support, money and time from lacs of employees, they have done nothing except to fool those people.
Whether it be the Jhajjar issue or any other issue of exploitation, we have always been fighting for Dalits. Has anyone else ever gheraoed the Supreme Court? We had done this courageous deed on 10th August 1998. People blame me for forming a political party – we had done this only to further the aims of the Confederation. Some issues can only be taken up by political parties, and some only at a social level. Baniyas do not have a political platform, yet there voice is always heard, due to their financial, educational and cultural superiority. A decade back, we believed that due to Ambedkarite visions, our movement was also going in that direction, now the standards are falling rapidly. The biggest reason for this fall is due to the increasing casteism amongst Dalits. On one hand, caste based organisations are made, and on the other, they call themselves social activists and Ambedkarites.
In 2011] the entire country supported Anna Hazare’s agitation for a Lokpal Bill; it was only the confederation which asked if Dalits, tribals and backwards had any role to play in the Lopkpal. According to demands raised then, Parliamnet proceeding, Supreme Court, Prime Minister’s office and CBI ect. Would have all come under the ambit of the Lokpal. When we raised the issue of reservation in lokpal, then Arvind Kejriwal and Ann Hazare lost all interest in getting the Bill Passed. If the confederation had stayed silent, then perhaps the Lokpal Bill would have been passed and the Lokpal would have had extra – Constitutional powers ot the dilute the rights of India’s women, Dalits and backward as higher judiciary is doing now. We cerated the Bhaujan Lokpal Bill for reservation and this demand was accepted as well.
Casteism amongst Dalits has increased, due to which our strength has decreased. Reservation is being destroyed through outsourcing, contract system and disinvestment. The bill for reservation in private sector has been submitted in the Lok Sabha as a private member bill. A Private sector bill is not the responsibility of any party to pass, the onus is on Dalits and Adivasis. If we do not get reservation in private Sector, it means all the benefits and advantages we have gotten till now are in vain. Due to reservation in Politics and Government service, Dalits have been socially and economically uplifted. In areas we there is no reservation, such as media, private industry, arts and culture, higher judiciary, IT ect. The involvement of Dalits is almost zero, In the US, there is reservation for blacks and Hispanics- Government purchases their products, due to which they have become industrialists and businessmen. To get his right, we have to make many sacrifices. Due to privatisation and globalisation, education employment and wealth are all in private hands- lacs of crorepatis are being bron everyday. The judicious use of their black money has also given them a strong foothold in politics. Looking at the bigger cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, it is difficult to perceive that dalits have any role in them. Privatisation has led to a huge disparity in rights and privileges.
When India did not have a Dalit President, it was widely discussed that a Dalit president might change the country. Similar discussion were held about the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. However, nothing much changed when a Dalit became the Chief Jusitce. Even though Mayawati became the Chief Minister of the largest state for four terms, we could not get reservation in private sector. Even if a Dalit becomes the Prime Minister, it is not likely that we will get such a right. It is also possible that others cna get this done, there are many complication in politics. If a nationwide Movement is formed for this, then every party would bend votes, and it is likely that we get this right Dr. Ambedkar stayed at 26, Alipur Road and penned the book “Buddha and his religion” and this where he breathed his last on 6th December, 1956 After many efforts, the Government purchased this property in 2003 and declared is as a national memorial; howerever, there no conferences or other activities at the site. The Dr. Ambedkar Parinirvan Samman Karyakaram Samiti was formed by us to ensure that this memorial gest equal status as Gandhiji’s memorial and we were successful in this as well. On the last 14th April, Prime Minister Narender Modi himself came to the venue and announced that the building will be renovated at a cost of Rs. 95 crores. Even now, we demand that an Act on lines of the Rajghat Act be passed for renovation of 26 Alipur Road and surrounding land also be acquired for this purpose.
At Present, most fo our agitations are for reservation in higher judiciary, issues of safai karamacharis, a Bill for reservation being placed in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution ect. It is not difficult to speak and discuss, but lost of efforts are required for these demands to be fructified. The Membership drive of the Confederation has to be drastically scaled up. Some things should also be learned from the upper caste. Thousands of unmarried, highly educated people are working for the RSS. Retired officers are working in several organs of the Sangh. There have never been conflicts regarding name and recognition in news.
In our Society, due to some small egos, retired employees are neither able to do anything for society nor are they able to take advantage of the opportunities available. Exploited societies should be more devoted for their own rights. Training programs should be held throughout the country and such machinery should be able to change entire society. We are hopeful that the Confederation will thousands of missionaries, leaders and workers in every state, which can lead to the formation a new society.
In general, Ambedkarites believe in lord Buddha. He had said that what is not proved should not be believed’ Lord Buddha had even said that his wone teachings should not be believead until they are proven. This is for those who discuss aobut the sacrifices of members of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations without knowing the value of their sacrifices and achievement. Have we made a mistake by joining the BJP? Have we stopped talking about Dalit issues, are we fulfilling our own selfishness? Dr. Ambedkar criticized the Congress his entire life. When Dr. Ambedkar lost his seat in the Constituent assembly was given his seat and sent to the Constituent Assembly. After this. Dr. Ambedkar not noly became the law Minister of India, but also the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution. Dr.Ambedkar fought for Dalits whill being in Congress; has Dr. Raj Stopped fighting for Dalits while in the BJP? Is this wrong? The number of issues he has raised in Parliamnet, and the number of works he has done; if any impartial person sees them, then he cannot remain without praising Dr. Udit Raj’s Commitment towards empowerment of Dalits.
State-wise membership forms have been printed which can be obtained from state leaders, of from the central office. Membership fees can also be deposited directly in the Confederation bank Account as par details below.
Name of Beneficiary: All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations
Name of Bank: State Bank of India
Saving Bank Ac No.: 30899921752
Branch Name: Chanderlok Building,1st Floor, Janpath, New Delhi
IFSC Code: SBIN0001639
It is difficult to run an organisation without ideology and a messaging tool, which is why the Voice of Buddha is published twice every month – 1 year subscription fees is Rs. 150 and Rs. 600 for 5 years. Fees can be deposited directly in the Justice Publications account 0636000102165381 (Punjab National bank, Branch Janpath, New Delhi-1) IFSC Code : PUNB0013100 or paid through a draft in favour of Justice Publications. Please send drafts to the Central office and inform us by telephone or email.
All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations
