PTI

New Delhi,  Dec 13: After Telangana and Gorkha activists resorted to hunger strike to press for their demands for separate states, the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations said its leaders will go on a fast-unto- death from December 15 seeking quota in private sector.

"Inequality" and "marginalisation" of backward classes were the main factors behind demands for separate states like Poorvachal, Bundelkhand and Telangana, Confederation Chairman Udit Raj told reporters here.

"There are many competent SC/ST candidates in the market. But seldom do they get jobs in the private sector, especially in good positions. So reservation in this sector is needed to address this imbalance," he said.

To press for their demand, Raj said, he and other members of the Confederation from different states have decided to go on a 'fast unto death' protest here from December 15.

The demands of the Confederation include reservation in the private sector and enactment of the Reservation Act, abolition of contract labour system in government services, caste certificates issued by one state to be held valid in all the states and reservation in higher judiciary and Army.

Raj also said, "After Telangana there has been a spate of demands from different regions for separate states. The TRS has been making attempts for a separate state from 2001. But the issue came to notice only when marginalised Dalits and Adivasis of the areas extended their support."