By SUNIL Sonkar

New Delhi, March 05 — As the Parliament is nearing to vote on the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Dalit and minority groups has stepped up with their demand for the inclusion of the provision that there should be quota for backward women. If the issue is not addressed, the group has threatened to launch protests against it.

Dr B R Ambedkar Seva Dal, All India Milli Council, Insaan Dost Committee and the representatives of Jamaat-e- Islami have been voicing for the introducing of a ‘quota within quota’ for women from the Dalit community, Muslim community and other backward classes. The representatives had said they would agitate on March 8 over the issue and would also attempt to gherao Parliament.

On March 8 the Bill is scheduled to be presented in the Parliament for its passage.

Manzoor Alam, AIMC General Secretary, said: “If passed it (the Bill) would amount to injustice against the women belonging to minorities, Dalits and other backward classes…it would lead to further asymmetry in representation and would perpetuate the dominance of a few political families.”

He also added that on March 8 the groups would converge at the Jantar Mantar and would try to gherao Parliament.

He said, “Even if the bill is passed, we will continue our agitation for an amendment to the original draft, and will take the issue to the electorate, who are key to the success of political parties.”

Jamaat-e-Islami’s representative Mujtaba Farooq said they were in favour of the reservation but in its present form, it will not benefit women of the most backward sections.