NEW DELHI: Main opposition BJP took exception to the inclusion of Dr Binayak Sen in the Planning Commission's steering panel on health. It asked a pointed question to the government: whether the Centre has made it a habit of rewarding those who allege victimization by a BJP-led state government.
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad drew a parallel between Sen's new role and that of Kuldeep Sharma, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who is involved in a legal tussle with Narendra Modi's government. Sharma was recently appointed additional DGP in Bureau of Police Research and Development.
"Sen is entitled to legal redress, but we want to ask the government if this is symptomatic of a pattern. Whosoever alleges victimization by a BJP state government will be almost immediately rewarded by the Centre. If this indeed is the case, the situation is worrisome," Prasad said.
"The government must ask itself what is the tradition it is trying to establish by Sen's appointment and whether it is good for democracy and the whole federal structure," he added.
Sen (61), a paediatrician and rights activists, run Jan Swasthya Sahayog in Bilaspur, and has extensively worked in Chhattisgarh' tribal belt. The Chhattisgarh charged him with sedition for allegedly harbouring Left-wing extremism in the state.
Sen has been named as one of 40 members in the committee that will give inputs for the 12th five-year Plan.
indiatimes.com
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad drew a parallel between Sen's new role and that of Kuldeep Sharma, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who is involved in a legal tussle with Narendra Modi's government. Sharma was recently appointed additional DGP in Bureau of Police Research and Development.
"Sen is entitled to legal redress, but we want to ask the government if this is symptomatic of a pattern. Whosoever alleges victimization by a BJP state government will be almost immediately rewarded by the Centre. If this indeed is the case, the situation is worrisome," Prasad said.
"The government must ask itself what is the tradition it is trying to establish by Sen's appointment and whether it is good for democracy and the whole federal structure," he added.
Sen (61), a paediatrician and rights activists, run Jan Swasthya Sahayog in Bilaspur, and has extensively worked in Chhattisgarh' tribal belt. The Chhattisgarh charged him with sedition for allegedly harbouring Left-wing extremism in the state.
Sen has been named as one of 40 members in the committee that will give inputs for the 12th five-year Plan.
indiatimes.com
