Brinda terms lack of promotion for Dalits as 'big lacuna' in legal framework

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat has said lack of reservation for Dalits in promotion in jobs is a 'big lacuna' in the legal framework and demanded a constitutional amendment to ensure it is done. "It is shameful that reservation in promotion in jobs for Dalits is being stalled. The ruling elite wants Dalits to remain bonded in social and economic terms," she said.

Demanding passing of the reservation bill,she alleged that government jobs are being privatised and there is no reservation in private companies, which ought to be brought in that sector. The new economic policies were eliminating even the basic minimum rights secured by Dalits, she said

Addressing a state-level conference on "Dalit women's Right to land" here on Wednesday evening, Karat said the issue of land reforms and land distribution had been pushed to the background due to such policies.

Later speaking to reporters, Brinda Karat condemned PMK leader S Ramadoss's view on inter-caste marriages. Ramdoss had stated that love marriages led to disharmony in the society. She said the PMK leader's view was not only anti constitutional, but also against social justice tradition formulated by social reformer Periyar. "A large section of people in Tamil Nadu do not support such views," she said.

Karat said the All-India Democratic Women’s Association would hold a conference in Madurai in January 2013 in which Scheduled Castes and non-Scheduled Caste couples would be felicitated for defying rigid social norms and moving towards equality.