Public revolution possible if Parliament doesn't fulfill duty: Speaker Meira Kumar

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today voiced fear that people could take to the streets if Parliament fails to address the issue of social inequality and prejudices.

"If Parliament does not fulfill this responsibility duly, then public revolutions will take place on roads and possibility of bloodshed cannot be denied," she said.

The Speaker made her observations at a national workshop organised by Sulabh International Centre on 'sociology in sanitation'.

She said only Parliament will have to fulfil the responsibility of addressing problems of social inequalities and wrong traditions.

"Parliament should function uninterrupted and keep fulfilling its responsibility of making legislations," she said while appealing all political parties to extend their support towards this end.

Describing manual scavenging as "despicable", the Speaker hoped that a Bill pending in Parliament to prohibit this practice will be passed with the support of all parties.

She lamented that caste system and untouchability in the county have given rise to such a practice.

"Unless the society cleanse its mind of all the ills, no amount of effort can get rid of such practices," she said.

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh urged the Parliamentarians to support the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill, saying "if we resolve, we can pass this bill in two three months".

Ramesh, on the occasion, administrated oath to a least a dozen priests and scholars from Varanasi that they will not deny 'pooja' rights to people belonging to SC and ST and other backward castes.

They also took the pledge of working towards building an equalitarian society by helping people of lower strata to enter temples and have food with them.

"This social contact will help eradicate untouchability from the society," said Sulabh's founder Bindeshwar Pathak.

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