Relevance of Parliamentary Debates in the context of Social Justice, Empowerment, and Development Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Rajya Sabha (1955-59 and 2003-2007) Exploring the Politics of Presence in the context of Rajya Sabha 31 January 2014 Submitted by Dr. Rahul Ramagundam ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DR. K R NARAYANAN CENTRE FOR DALIT AND MINORITIES STUDIES, JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA, JAMIA NAGAR, NEW DELHI 110025 TEL. 011-26921397 (O); 09818907590 (M) E.mail:
[email protected] 1 Index Preface 1. The Rajya Sabha 2. Affirmative Policy 3. The Harijan Sahib 4. Coalition Casualty: Representation and its value 5. Conclusion Annexure to Chapter 3 Annexure to Chapter 4 2 Preface Does representation really matter? This archaic sounding question is still significant in the context of India’s Upper House, the Rajya Sabha. This research paper explores the nature of representation in the Rajya Sabha by an interrogation of parliamentary Questions and Debates on marginalized communities, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs and STs) within its precincts. Generally too, the issue of representation is significant as is evident from the long term scare left in the wake of the Poona Pact of 1932. The makers of the Indian constitution adopted certain enabling provisions for representation of the marginalized population segments such as the SCs and STs in the parliamentary democracy. Given their social and economic condition, it was assumed, it would be difficult for an SC or ST to get elected on their own if no special reservation is given. However, the constitutional provision for representation of the marginalized in the Parliament is limited to the Lower House alone.