Samajwadi Party disrupts Rajya Sabha; fears new OBC body will dilute Mandal Commission

NEW DELHI: A day after the Cabinet approved a legislation to constitute a National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NCSEBC), the Samajwadi Party disrupted the proceedings of Rajya Sabha on Friday charging the government of planning to dilute Mandal Commission spirit.

The issue was raised by SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav when the House assembled for the day. SP members subsequently trooped into the well of the House sloganeering against the government on this issue forcing a brief adjournment during the Zero Hour.

Yadav voiced apprehensions over government’s intention behind constituting the National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (NCSEBC), a constitutional body instead of granting constitutional status to the existing National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

Citing how NCBC came into being after a Supreme Court ruling in 1992 on the basis of Mandal Commission recommendations, the SP leader alleged “conspiracy” to dilute Mandal scheme of reservation.

His objections were rejected by Social Justice Minister Thawarchand Gehlot. “Since the time of Jan Sangh, we have been a supporter of reservations to these communities and will continue to be a supporter,” said the minister underlining that the move not only will grant constitutional status but will also have similar rights as that of precursor NCBC.