The Republican Party of India (RPI) has demanded separate electorates for representatives of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). RPI claimed that in the present system, elected representatives of reserved constituencies do not think they are accountable for SC or ST as voters from these reserved categories are fewer than other backward or open class voters. The RPI said that there won’t be a need for separate constituencies. Speaking with this newspaper, national vice-president of the RPI Uttam Khobragade said, “Several elections have been held with reserved constituencies. Did the elected representatives ensure the progress and welfare of the Dalit population Do these representatives help stop atrocities against SC and ST members
“The sad death of Rohit Vemula and the recent Una incidents are an example of the apathy of these representatives towards SC/CT,” Mr Khobragade claimed.
He added that a perception had now been created amongst Dalits that representatives elected from reserved constituencies were not in the position to ensure the safety of Dalits nor were they inclined to take up their issues.
The former bureaucrat said, “SC and ST representatives elected from reserved constituencies are elected by all voters. Thus, the numbers of voters who are against the freedom of Dalits exceed SC and ST voters several times over in a particular reserved constituency.”
According to Mr Khobragade, there is no better evidence for his claims than the defeats of Dr. Ambedkar in the two elections he had fought, despite all Dalits being behind him.
