Running into an election year, the Bengaluru Declaration adopted by the government-sponsored Dr. B.R. Ambedkar International Conference 2017, on Sunday recommended a slew of affirmative action measures in the private sector, the judiciary, educational institutions, government contracts and promotions for Dalits.
The declaration significantly concentrates not just on SCs/STs but has also proposed several steps for the larger AHINDA (acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) community, the political constituency of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
It called for reservation of seats in the legislature for OBCs and setting up of a farmers income commission. The eight-page declaration has 40 recommendations under six broad categories —safeguarding the people, strengthening democratic institutions, deepening social justice, enhancing human development, ensuring responsive governance, and promoting social security.
“This Peoples Declaration hopes to be a dynamic blueprint that addresses the needs and aspirations of all Indians, and a starting point for an ‘alliance of equity’ of all progressive forces committed to safeguarding the idea of India,” the preamble stated.
The Bhopal Declaration that called for “liberalisation of capital for Dalits” was adopted in 2002 during the tenure of Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in Madhya Pradesh. Significantly, the Bengaluru Declaration called for upholding the Rule of Law through police reforms and State action to prevent lynchings. It called for a law against gender and caste discrimination in education institutions.
It further recommended for SCs/STs reservation in appointment of judges, promotions, government contracts up to ₹ 1 crore, in private higher educational institutions and private sector. It also proposes the establishment of an Equal Opportunities Commission, to oversee affirmative action. Much focus is also given on ensuring land ownership for SCs/STs, including a proposal to establish SCs/STs land bank, where government buys land at market prices and re-allots to the same community, to ensure non-dilution of ownership. It further recommends allocation of 20 % of the land in private housing layouts for urban poor.
The declaration calls for a wider social security net. It has recommended a “living wage” and comprehensive social security scheme for all labourers working in the unorganised sector apart from ensuring dignity in retirement through enhanced pensions of ₹ 1,500 per month.
Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, who read out the declaration, said: “Regressive social and political forces have consistently resisted and tried to undermine both the Constitutional idea of India and the efforts of the State in the last 70 years.”
