Clashes put question mark on BSP’s Dalit-Muslim alliance
LUCKNOW: Reports of clashes between Muslims and Dalits in some districts of western UP have given the Bahujan Samaj Party a lot to worry about.
These incidents have occurred less than a fortnight after the party rode the DalitMuslim alliance to bag two mayors’ posts in west UP (Aligarh and Meerut) earlier this month. The party also won seats in the Nagar Palika Parishads and Nagar Panchayats.
Even as the party leaders were celebrating their success, the clashes soured their mood.
The sons of the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Munkad Ali allegedly attacked a Dalit and forcibly grabbed his shop in Kithore town in Meerut district, sending the BSP leadership in a tizzy.
A video of supporters of the MP’s sons firing on Dalits went viral on the social media. The Dalits have demanded action against the culprits. Clashes were also reported from Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Aligarh and Bulandshahar districts, threatening the neatly woven Dalit-Muslim alliance.
The BSP leadership has urged party chief Mayawati to take a firm stand on the issue before her political rivals try to win the Dalits over.
The Dalits constitute the BSP’s core vote bank. To make it clear that she will not tolerate atrocities on Dalits, Mayawati expelled Salman and Farman, sons of party strongman Munkad Ali, from the organisation.
A VIDEO OF SUPPORTERS OF THE MP’S SONS FIRING ON DALITS WENT VIRAL ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA.
She told Ali that he was free to leave the party.The action stunned the Muslim leaders in the party. Political observers feel Ali is awaiting the opportune moment to rebel. Ali had played a pivotal role in mobilising the Muslim support for the BSP, cutting into the Samajadi Party vote bank. He enjoys considerable support among Muslims and his daughter-in- law Nida Parvez won in the urban local bodies’ election in the region.
Talking to HT, Ali said, “My sons did not attack the Dalits. Terming the expulsion of his sons a conspiracy, he said ‘behanji’ should have given an opportunity to hear our views before initiating action.” A BSP leader, who did not wish to be named, said “The anger among the Dalits forced Mayawati to take action against the sons of Ali.”“By cracking the whip on Ali, she sent a message to the Dalits that their well-being was above the other community. The BJP is trying to make inroad into the BSP vote banks. The Dalit- Muslim clash would have come in handy for the saffron brigade to win the support of the Dalits. With quick action, Mayawati thwarted their designs. But a rebellion by Muslim leaders looms large,” he said.