Cong leader raises issue of privatisation, EVMs

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, December 1

The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations led by Congress leader Udit Raj announced a sustained movement against the Union Government’s policy of privatisation, disinvestment of PSUs and against use of EVMs in the elections at a national rally here on Sunday.

It also pitched for structural changes in higher judiciary to give adequate representations to the downtrodden with regard to judges’ appointments.

The rally was supported by the opposition parties at the Centre — the Congress, Samajwadi Party and RJD. “I thank Rahul Gandhi and other political parties for the moral support,” said Udit Raj while addressing the rally.

Raj, who quit the BJP during the run-up to the 2019 General Election on being denied re-nomination from Delhi, questioned the BSP for not supporting the rally.

A known Dalit leader, he joined the BJP before the 2014 parliamentary election and got elected on its ticket from Delhi.

“Privatisation and disinvestment will impinge on existing reservations,” Raj said, and critiqued the government’s interferences in educational institutes. He referred to the alleged lathicharge on Jawaharlal Nehru University students for waging agitation against fee hike.

“The government policies have prevented creation of new jobs and retrenchment of existing employees across sectors,” he added.

He said division among sub-castes in the SC spectrum had weakened the Dalit movement.

Apparently unhappy with the turnout at the rally, he said: “The fight for rights will be won in maidans and not through WhatsApp messages,” he said.