(Powerful speech by ShriHaribhauRathod in Legislative Council)
ShriHarisinghRathod (Elected by Legislative Assembly):- Sir, I am here to participate in discussion on the subject “Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar and Indian constitution”.
Sir, at the outset, I express my sincere thanks for allowing me to express my regards to the work of the great man Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar. He was very well read, very knowledgeable. During the discussion on constitution, clause by clause were being discussed and approved, everybody was eager to know what reply Babasaheb would give. Even though Hon’ble Dr. Rajendra Prasad was in the chair, Dr. Ambedkar would reply the queries.
Sir, while participating in this discussion, I would like to remind you about an incidence. At the end of discussion on constitution, Dr. Ambedkar said, “Our constitution may be very verygood,but if the implementing persons are not good, it is of no use”. Even today there are certain clauses and matters in the constitution, which he has left to us and those we will have to do.
Sir, I would like to mention section 340 of the constitution. About 52% people in this nation were to be given justice through this section. 52% of the population of the nation is OBC (Other Backward Classes) which means, half population of the nation is of OBC. I am going to tell you some important matters. Please pay attention. The Mandal Commission was appointed as per section 340 of the constitution. The Mandal Commission gave overall 27% reservation to the OBC’s and included 3000 to 3500 castes in OBCs. Shri L.R. Naik, one of the members of Mandal Commission did not sign the report of the commission. He said “Mandalji, what you are doing is not right. You should divide other backward classes as backward classes and extremely backward classes. ShriNaik said that when Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar implemented policy of reservation, ShahuMaharajgave an illustration. There are two horses, one strong and other weak and if you give them peas to eat in one basket, the strong horse will eat all peas and nothing will be left for weak horse. Samething has happened with 27% reservation.
Sir, since last 20 years, I am making the same point throughout the country. The 27% reservation must be divided. Separate reservation must be given mainly for DNTs and nomadic tribes. The point made by me is being discussed throughout the nation, but today I have got chance to discuss the point in this House for the first time. I am very much thankful to you. 20 years back, I had submitted this point to Hon’bleAtalBihari Vajpayee, PramodMahajan, GopinathMunde, NitinGadkari and they had agreed to the same. A commission was constituted for DNTs and nomadic tribes to consider this point and GopinathMunde had appointed me as a member of the commission. I had discussed this point at Mhalgi Training Institution with Hon’blePrime Minister ShriNarendraModiji and Hon. ShriShivrajChowhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh for about an hour. I told them that congress has done something for backward classes and now you have golden opportunity to do something for them. You should effect division of OBC’s in all over India in the same manner in which it is done in Maharashtra.
Sir, the issue of reservation for MarathasandDhangars (Shepherds) crops up at this stage. It is merely politics at all sides and places. Nobody is ready to speak the truth. You have forgotten what the Chief Minister had said. I will not speak anything wrong. The important point is that the Banjaras have same issue as Dhangars (Shepherds). The Shepherds get reservations but the Banjaras do not get. Hon’bleShriSharadPawar has granted 3.5% reservation to Shepherds in Maharashtra, However, still you say, the Shepherds have not got reservation. You are shouting for that.
Hon’ble Chief Minister had said “we will grant reservation to Shepherds without disturbing reservation granted to Adivasis (Tribals). What does it mean? It means third list. I have been shouting throughout the country that OBCs should be divided, failing which Shepherds will not get reservation. I will give you an illustration. Earlier I used to travel by second class in train. I used to board the train at Dhamangaon. When the train would reach Akola station, the passengers seated in the boogie would shut the doors and would not allow any passengers from any stations beginning from Akola. Now the Adivasis’ (Tribals) have boardedthe train they won’t allow us to enter the train. The Marathas also face same situation. We have hurriedly taken decision to grant reservation to Marathas. It is taken in wrong manner. What did the Hon’ble Court say? What are the criteria to be considered while granting reservation? (Interruption)….
My say will benefit you. If will solve your all problems. Please keep quiet for a couple of minutes and listen to me. While granting reservation to the Maratha Community, you will have to prove that they are socially and economically backward. Secondly, there is dissimilarity among Marathas. As per article 16(4) of the constitution, you will have to prove that they (Marathas) do not have sufficient representation in government and employment. In this respect, Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi has done great favour on nation. When UPA Govt. was in power, they have conducted caste wise census of entire population in India. The government has data of population of each caste in India. The statistics of population of each of Matathas, Banjaras, vadar, Bhoi castes is fed in computer. I am telling you this with the purpose of solving the issue. Moreover, you do not have any other alternative.
Sir, the National Backward class commission has recently submitted a report. They have stated that there are 27% OBCs, they should be divided in three categories. First is DNTs and nomadic, second most backward classes which include barber, washer man, ironsmith, carpenter, goldsmith, gardener, oilman and third category is remaining kunbi, Maratha. 20% Maratha people have already taken certificate of kunbi OBC caste. I would say that what Hon’ble Mohan Bhagwat sir has said is correct. Please do not play politics on this issue. You have not replied this properly. He said review the reservation. HaribhauRathod is also saying something. We should take review. In our country 1300 posts of IAS, IPS, IR and others are filled through UPSC. The OBCs should get approximately 350 posts. Are there any wadars, Bhoi,Kolis, Govaris, Vanjari, Masanjogi, Nandibailwalas, teli, tambodi, beldar community people in these 1300 posts? Where are our brothers? Why don’t you think about this? What did BabasahebAmbedkar say? All are equal before law. He said equal means equals should not be treated with unequals. Only equals shouldbe compared only with equals. You should not compare equals with unequals. Dr. Babasaheb had clarified this. Hence, if the recommendations of National Backward Class Commission are implemented, the problems of Shepherds, govaris, Marathas, DNTs and nomads will be solved. I am not telling you this. TheNational Backward Commission has been appointed pursuant to section 340 of our constitution. Hon’ble Justice Ishwar is the chairman of the Commission. He has submitted the report of the commission. You should read the report. The report is available on internet. The BharatiyaJanta Party will be relieved of one headache. We want reservation. You should divide scheduled tribes in three categories A, B and C. DNTs and nomadic should be categorized in category A, Shepherds, Vadar, Koli should be put in category B and remaining OBCs should in category C. This is important question. All of us must think about this. The Chief Minister should bring this to the attention of Hon’ble Prime Minister. It is a coincidence thatHon’ble Prime Minister ShriNarendraModiji belongs to teli caste. Teli caste falls in must backward class. This means I have to do his work. (Interruption)
You say it is not so. Our leaders have gone to Delhi with a proposal. I will not take his name. He took information from me. This is an important issue. I have uploaded information on website You should study the same and solve these issues. At the time of authoring the constitution, Dr. Ambedkar has submitted social and economic resolution. Earlier sir was telling that we have not got economic justice. Dr. Ambedkar had said that agriculture and industry must be nationalized. Where is the nationalistion? Some people did not allow it to be included in the resolution. Dr Ambedkar had expressed displeasure about this. Dr. Ambedkar had given illustration about Barkely. It is easy to give power, but it is difficult to give wisdom. We gave you power. Who will give you wisdom? It is difficult. Dr. Ambedkar had spoken about policy. It is important. That is why you changed the name of planning commission to policy commission. We should have proper policies. Dr. Ambedkar had done great favour to Hindu community. He had said “I am born Hindu, but shall not die as Hindu”. He did not embrace muslim religion. Just think, what would have happened to you had he embraced muslim religion.Dr. Ambedkar had done great favour to Hindu community. (Interruptions). We do not know which our religion is.
Dy. Speaker:- Now Hon. Member ShriDhanjayGadgil should start his speech.
ShriHarisinghRathod : Sir, Dr. Ambedkar had stated that there should be separate budget for DNTs and nomadic. However, there is no separate budget for DNTs and nomadic. I am telling you part of constitution. There is a provision to this effect in constitution. As per section 338 of constitution……
DySpeaker : Please conclude your speech. I have permitted Hon’ble Member AnantGadgil to speak.
ShriHarisinghRathod : Sir, I am reading out provision of constitution.
DySpeaker : We know the provisions of constitution.
ShriHarisinghRathod : Sir, the main point is that there is no implementation. That is the reason we had to handover power to BharatiyaJanta Party. If the people from ruling party improve themselves for giving social and economic justice to the people in Dalit community, then the people from opposition party also must improve for doing same thing. God only can save from the mess you have created. You just divide 27%. This year is social justice year of BabasahebAmbedkar. I demand that the people from backward class should be given justice. I conclude my speech. Thanks. Jai Bheem, Jai Sevalal.
DySpeaker : I request Hon’ble member that time limit of 10 minutes have been fixed for every Hon’ble member to speak. We give 2 to 5 minutes extension for the same. However, when the members do not sit down despite notice, it is not an appropriate thing.