Dalit leader welcomes reservation in Lokpal

New Delhi: Dalit leader Udit Raj on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to include reservation for SC, ST, OBC and other weaker section in the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.

Raj, Chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, also took a dig at Team Anna and said they should understand their "weaknesses."

"They might have organised big shows at Ramlila ground and Jantar Mantar but the majority of silent section of people is not necessarily with them," he said in a release.

There is no doubt that Anna Hazare has aroused the consciousness of the country on corruption but they should wait and watch what Parliament is going to do, he said.

"After all, Parliament is the will of about 120 crore people and thus they (Team Anna) should have faith in democracy," he said.

While welcoming the Government draft of Lokpal Bill which was approved by Cabinet yesterday, he suggested that Lokpal selection panel should not have more than two judges and that members from other fields like journalism and education also be made part of the panel.

Anna's support for Dalits half hearted: Udit Raj

New Delhi: Dalit leader Udit Raj, who has been pushing for a Bahujan Lokpal bill, has termed as "half hearted" Anna Hazare's intention to involve Dalits, tribals and minorities in the Lokpal institution.

Udit Raj claimed Hazare changed his stance after the massive rallies organised by him. He has been asking for reservation for Dalits and minorities in the anti-graft ombudsman through his Bahujan Lokpal bill.

"Anna's call to rope in Dalits and minorities in the Lokpal is half hearted. Hazare changed his stance after we built up pressure," said Udit Raj.

The Dalit leader said he will organise a protest rally at the Ramlila ground in Delhi on November 28 to push his demand.

"If Anna accepts our demands, we will welcome him. We are also concerned about corruption," said Udit Raj.

Udit Raj, the national chairman of All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations, urged Anna Hazare that if he wants to associates Dalits, tribals, minorities in his movement then he should first talk about reservation in the Jan Lokpal Bill for such communities.

Raj said Dalits are apprehensive whether Anna and the government are concerned about them.