New Delhi: A National Other Backward Classes Conclave on December 21 saw politicians across party lines, experts, activists and community leaders sign the ‘Delhi Declaration’ to push for caste census, sub-categorisation, reservations in promotions and other critical issues.
The Conclave, organised by the Samruddha Bharat Foundation and the Mahatma Phule Santa Parishad, comprised a core committee of former Union minister and Loktrantik Janta Dal president Sharad Yadav, Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Bihar leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav, DMK leader Kanimozhi, Professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd and Satyashodhak Samaj president, Reverend Sunil Sardar.
The Samruddha Bharat Foundation describes itself as an organisation for secular political parties and progressive forces, including academics, activists, bureaucrats and professionals in India.
The December 21 conclave was attended by Bhujbal, Reverend Sardar and Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd of the core committee, along with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, CPI’s D. Raja, DMK MP T.K.S. Elangovan, former Haryana minister Captain Ajay Yadav, former MLA Rajesh Lilothia, RJD MP Manoj Jha, Bahujan Samaj Party MP Shyam S. Yadav, Professor Dilip Mandal, Dr. Arvind Kumar, Dr. Laxman Yadav and Pushparaj Deshpande.
The speakers noted the importance of a caste census, how Marathas, Patels, Gujjars and OBC members across India were urging for one to take place, the need for a Dalit-OBC joint movement, and the imposition of Hindi language.
In a resolution signed at the conclave, the parties noted that
- Multi-party OBC-Bahujan conventions and rallies will be organised across the country, to take firm positions on caste census and related issues.
- There will be mass campaigns to connect with Shudras, Dalits and Adivasis across India.
- Resolutions demanding caste census will be spearheaded and passed in every assembly.
- Progressive parties will oppose the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) in parliament and on the ground as it is believed to adversely impact Dalits, Adivasis and Shudra-OBCs.
The ‘Delhi Declaration’ has also made the following recommendations:
On caste census:
The Conclave said a caste census would be instrumental in revising the benchmark for socio-economic and educational backwardness. Citing the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census survey, the conclave recommended that the data of a similra exercise be released.
The caste census should enumerate data irrespective of religion, the Conclave said.
The Declaration also asked for a White Paper to be published based on the findings of the caste census and if necessary, proportionate increase in reservation.
On equal opportunities:
Given widespread inequities which include underrepresentation of OBCs, SCs, STs, women and minorities in employment, the Declaration called for an Equal Opportunities Commission which should adopt creative strategies and policies to achieve equity in the public and private sectors.
The Chairpersons of the National Commissions for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Minorities shall be members of the Equal Opportunities Commission.
A national legislation to ensure that a portion of the budget in proportion of to the population of OBCs, SCs and STs to support schemes to bridge the gaps in development was also recommended.
On reservations in employment:
Despite four revisions of the income criteria since 1997, vacancies meant for OBCs and SCs are not being filled up. The state should therefore fill up backlog vacancies in reserved posts based on the completed roster, from 1997 onwards. OBCs, SCs, and STs in the rural and urban local bodies employed under the contract system should be provided permanent employment, by abolishing the contract system.
The Declaration also pushed for representation in judiciary and media, reservations in promotions, in the private sector and also equitable access to reservations.
The state should ensure that every OBC, SC, and ST household should get access to basic civic amenities, including power supply, tap water, sanitation and connectivity within five years, it added.
Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty
On education:
The Declaration calls for reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs in private institution, special scholarships for SC, ST, OBC students, access to quality English medium education, a Navodaya type of residential school from Class 6-12 in every district, block and sub-block level for all vulnerable children, along with universal access to hostels for OBCs, SCs and STs.
It also recommended that Dr. Ambedkar, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai Phule and EV Ramasamy Periyar be included in school curriculum.
On economic empowerment:
The Declaration recommends that the government ensure adequate special funds to boost entrepreneurship among the OBCs, SCs and STs to ensure they attain economic liberty by reserving at least 10% of stakes/shares in PSUs/corporations/companies, for OBCs, SCs and STs to enhance their participation in the economic activities of the state.
Landless OBCs and SCs should be provided with agricultural land as a legal entitlement.
All caste-based occupational vocations must be comprehensively reformed so that they are modernised, formalised and it is ensured that those entering the particular occupation are not representative of a particular caste or community.
There should be reservations in procurement and contracts for up to Rs 100 lakhs. This will benefit OBC, SC, ST and women entrepreneurs, the declaration notes.
On political empowerment:
The Declaration calls for a dedicated ministry for OBC welfare, reservations in legislatures for OBCs and reservations for women, including OBC, SC and ST women.