JD(U) Backs Manjhi's Push for More Speaking Time for SC/ST MPs

Janata Dal (United) has thrown its weight behind Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's concern that Members of Parliament from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities are not getting enough time to speak in Parliament.

JD(U) national general secretary Shyam Rajak told reporters in Patna that Dalit representatives deserve sufficient opportunities to raise issues on the floor. He said Mr. Manjhi, a senior minister and a prominent Dalit leader, would have spoken from his own experience in Parliament.

Mr. Rajak argued that elected representatives from Dalit communities should get adequate time not only during debates on Bills but also on other matters affecting their constituents. He said such representatives should never feel inferior or set apart from other members, recalling the principles behind the Poona Pact.

The backing follows a letter dated September 16 from Mr. Manjhi to the Lok Sabha Speaker, in which he flagged the issue. The minister referred to concerns raised at a meeting of NDA MPs held at his residence on August 5, where BJP MP Gajendra Singh Patel, who represents the reserved tribal constituency of Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, said SC and ST MPs were not being given adequate time to take part in debates on important Bills.

Mr. Manjhi urged the Speaker to step in and ensure that MPs from the two communities get enough opportunity to contribute to proceedings.

Speaking to reporters in Gaya, Mr. Manjhi said he perhaps should have addressed the letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, since the allotment of time for debates falls under his remit. He also explained that each minister in the government heads groups of 14-15 NDA MPs that meet regularly, and that concerns raised at these gatherings are forwarded to the relevant ministries and departments.