NEW DELHI: NDA’s Dalit MPs are building pressure over the demand for quotas in judicial services to ensure better representation as well as swifter action on undoing a Supreme Court verdict “diluting” the SC/ ST Act and implementation of reservation in promotion.

Over two dozen MPs including a few ministers of Modi government went into a huddle at the residence of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday evening. Sources said the Dalit MPs were concerned over the delay in taking concrete action to rectify the “damage” allegedly done by the SC order.

“It’s taking too long, though government has said no change in the law will be allowed at any cost. Since it would be difficult to pass a law, it was suggested that Parliament session be wound up a little early and an ordinance should be brought,” said one of the MPs. The All India Ambedkar Mahasabha (AIAM) has announced to resume the nation-wide protests from August 9 if the government fails to meet their demands.

Sources said Baharaich BJP MP Savitri Bai Phule highlighted how certain forces were behind frequent vandalisation of Ambedkar statues and airing the concerns of Dalits was often seen as a “revolt” against the party. She also cited how Dalit protesters arrested from Uttar Pradesh were not released whereas in other states such people were out of jail.

After meeting AIAM representatives on Saturday, Paswan reportedly wrote to home minister Rajnath Singh to look into the issues raised by them. The demands included putting an end to outsourcing for class-III and class-IV jobs, creating provisions for adequate representation of SC/ST/OBC and women in the Supreme Court and high courts. They also demanded release of Dalit activists from jail who have been booked under the National Security Act.

Singh is heading the panel of ministers looking into Dalit-related issues.

