NEW DELHI: After food and consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan , Congress on Thursday raised the issue of Justice AK Goel 's appointment as chairman of National Green Tribunal and alleged the government had "rewarded" the retired Supreme Court judge who was part of the bench whose order "diluted" the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Calling Justice Goel "RSS backed", Congress leader K Suresh referred to Paswan and said in Lok Sabha that even the minister had raised concern over the judge's appointment, soon after he had retired from the apex court.

Paswan had on July 22 written to home minister Rajnath Singh asking him to take action on issues raised by the All India Ambedkar Mahasabha, including on the demand to remove Justice Goel. Two days later, Paswan held a meeting of Dalit MPs of NDA where the issue came up for discussion. His son Chirag Paswan wrote to PM Narendra Modi , reiterating the demand.

The issue was raised in Lok Sabha on Thursday and led other opposition parties to join the chorus. While Congress leaders urged Paswan, present in the House, to voice his concern, CPM's M B Rajesh asked the government to respond to charges made by opposition parties. He said, "It is a matter of concern for a vast majority of people. Let the government respond."

The sharpening of opposition attack comes ahead of a 'Bharat Bandh' called by Dalit groups on August 9. Dalit bodies and opposition parties had said Justice Goel's judgment had "diluted and weakened the law". The order had set aside automatic arrest under the law, holding it to be against the basic principles of law.

BJP has not spoken on the issue of Justice Goel's appointment. However, it had earlier cited the Centre's review petition in the apex court against the order on the SC/ST Act. The view in the government is that it will wait till the review petition is dealt with, before considering an ordinance. The SC order saw Congress alleging that the Centre did not argue the case vehemently enough.

