'Won't work under junior SC/ST officials'

Anti-quota staff warn of civil disobedience

Targeting BJP and Congress for the constitutional amendment bill granting quota in promotions, anti-reservation activists on Wednesday staged protests before their respective offices here and warned of a “civil disobedience” agitation if they are forced to work under junior officials of reserved categories.

Under the banner of Sarvjan Hitai Sanrakshan Samiti, the employees and officers opposed to reservation in promotions warned of a civil disobedience sort of agitation if the bill is passed by the Lok Sabha and they were made to work under junior officials belonging to the SC/STs.

“The samiti today resolved that employees belonging to general, backward and minorities would, under no circumstances, work under their junior officials who would become their seniors as a result of this bill once it comes into effect,” President of the Samiti Shailendra Dubey said.

Taking a decision to further intensify the ongoing agitation, the employees would demand resignation of the MPs voting in favour of the bill and they would not be allowed to take part in any public programme in the constituencies or anywhere else in the state.

Issuing a warning to BJP and Congress to remain prepared to face the consequences of passing this bill, the employees whose strike entered the seventh day on Wednesday staged protests before their respective offices shouting slogans leading to a traffic jam.

The employees vowed to topple the parties, specially BJP and Congress, supporting reservation in promotions. There are also reports of the agitationists burning the effigy of former chief minister and BSP chief Mayawati.

Earlier, striking employees of different departments took out protest marches from their respective offices in the morning and later held a virodh sabha at the GPO park. “This bill is not in the favour of the nation and nearly 18 lakh employees are on the strike to oppose it,” Shailendra Dubey said.

Others slog

Pro-reservation staff, however, is working four hours extra every day in order to ensure smooth functioning in the government offices.

“The Araskshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has decided that in case of strike its members would continue to work for extra four hours,” its convenor Awadhesh Verma said.