Judiciary must have adequate representation of all: Kushwaha

Union minister Upendra Kumar Kushwaha today called for changes in the present system of employment in judiciary to ensure that it gets adequate representation from all sections of the society.

Expressing concern over the April 2 Bharat Bandh against a Supreme Court judgement "diluting" the SC/ST Act, Kushwaha said the magnitude of the protests was a warning signal for the country's democratic set up.

The Bharat Bandh called by Dalit and tribal organisations, and supported by many opposition parties, had resulted in large-scale violence in states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

"A tea-seller can rise to the position of the prime minister and children of daily wage labourers can become district magistrates and superintendents of police. Yet, it is hard for anybody from a humble background to become a judge under the present system," Kushwaha told reporters.

"Under the existing system, you can become a judge only if your name is recommended by people who matter," the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief said.

As a result even a poor Brahmin's child finds a career in judiciary tough and it is easy to understand the situation of SCs, STs and OBCs, he claimed.

"To press the demand for adequate representation of all sections of the society in the judiciary, our party will launch a country-wide programme," Kushwaha said.

In the first phase of the 'Halla Bol Darwaza Khol' programme, seminars and discussions would be held in New Delhi and state capitals, and public movement would follow, he said.

"Even the honourable president has expressed his concern over the existing system of recruitment of judges. The Supreme Court has not agreed to reforms proposed by the government. We request the apex court to take the initiative itself and bring about the much-needed changes," he added.

Kushwaha, who is the Minister of State for Human Resources Development, had earlier this year organised a human chain to press the demand for educational reforms. Although the move was supported by the opposition RJD, the NDA partners --the BJP and JD(U) stayed away from the move.

The RLSP chief, however, denied any rift within the NDA and maintained that he was firmly with the BJP-led coalition.