BJP ally seeks NGT Chairman's ouster, its own MP raises issue in Lok Sabha

The appointment of a former Supreme Court judge as the National Green Tribunal Chairman took a political turn today with the BJP's ally Lok Janshakti Party demanding his removal and its own MP Udit Raj raising the issue in Lok Sabha of what he called an "anti-Dalit" verdict as an apex court judge.

Attacking Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, who was made NGT Chairman on July 6, LJP leader Chirag Paswan said his appointment has sent a message to Dalits that a judge has been "rewarded" after he rendered a law protecting the weaker section of society "toothless".

"The LJP demands his dismissal," Paswan said.

Goel was a part of the Supreme Court bench which had introduced several safeguards in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, measures criticised by several Dalit outfits and later by all major political parties for what they alleged was diluting the law.

Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, Udit Raj said Goel's appointment has caused anger and disappointment among Dalits.

Later in a tweet, he said Goel delivered many "anti-Dalit" verdicts.

Stating that Goel's appointment has caused "anger and disappointment" in the Dalit community, the BJP MP from North West Delhi said his judgment as an apex court judge went against the community's interests.

Paswan said Goel should immediately be sacked and the original provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act restored.

He also warned that the nationwide protests announced by Dalit organisations on August 9 could turn out to be "angrier and more intense" than the April 2 'Bharat Bandh' call given by them, as Dalits believe that "a judge, who gave the verdict that made a law protecting them toothless, has been rewarded."