NEW DELHI: Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) leader, Upendra Kushwaha on Sunday said that former Supreme Court judge Justice A.K. Goel's appointment as the new chairman of National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sent a very wrong message across the country.
Talking to ANI, Kushwaha said "The decision taken by Justice Goel was severely opposed at many parts of India especially by the SC and ST's. We are assuring people that we won't let them suffer because of the decision on SC/ST Act, but his appointment as NGT chairman has sent a very wrong message. I support the demand of his removal from the post of NGT chairman."
Earlier, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale had also echoed similar views as he had said that Justice Goel had given a wrong judgment on the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and, therefore, his appointment as NGT chairman is not appropriate.
The retired apex court judge was on July 6 appointed as the chairperson of the NGT for five years.
On March 20, the Supreme Court bench led by Justice Goel and Uday Lalit introduced the provision of anticipatory bail in the SC/ST Atrocities Act and also directed that there will be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the Act.
Many political parties and people belonging to Dalit community opposed the judgment, perceiving it as the dilution of the Act.