Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, chief of the Lok Jan Shakti Party, a BJP ally, has pitched for a broader consensus among political parties for setting up an all-India judicial service, which will pave the way for reservation for backward communities in the judiciary.
Mr. Paswan said the Union government alone could not do this as a constitutional amendment was required. A general consensus should emerge among political parties for pushing the measure through.
Dalit and tribal MPs from almost all major parties have long been demanding a judicial service on the lines of all-India services such as the IAS, citing low representation of backward communities especially in the higher judiciary.
Another BJP ally and Union Minister, Upendra Kushwaha, has thrown his weight behind the proposal.
The Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief has been criticising the collegium system — through which judges are appointed to the High Courts and the Supreme Court — saying it has become a “breeding ground for favouritism”. At a meeting of Dalit MPs at Mr. Paswan’s residence, the demand for reservation in higher judiciary was made.