Sangma opposes Gujjar demand of ST status

Jaipur, Oct 2 (UNI) Former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma today opposed the demand of Gujjar community's demand for ST status and said no group or community, which had already been categorised as a caste or class, should be included in the ST list.

Speaking at the concluding session in the two-day national convention of Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here, Mr Sangma said that tribals were symbol of an equality based casteless and classless society and no group or community, including the SCs and OBCs could be enlisted as tribes in the ST list.

Gujjars are already enjoying OBC status.

Mr Sangma said while dealing with the demand of inclusion in the ST list by any non-tribal group from Rajashan or elsewhere, the Government of India should keep the above fact and criterion in mind and should also examine the demand on the basis of five norms laid down by the Constituion makers for this purpose.

Calling on the tribal communities to gear themselves up for a larger national role of re-defining the future political leadership in the country.

He said that the emegring political trend was an indicator that a leadership tiff between the upper caste and lower caste political currents was imminent in the future and the tribal leadership was likely to emerge as an acceptable group to lead the politics of the nation.

But he also cautioned tribals to preserve their values of honesty and truthfulness among themslves as the closeness to political power was posing a threat to these values in tribal politicians.

He said that this trend was witnessed among tribal leadership or North Eastern states where tribals had been holding political power.

UNI