Will stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with Dalits, say BJP and Centre
The BJP and the Centre reached out to Dalits on Tuesday in the aftermath of their violent protests, asserting that they stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the community at every juncture and accusing the Congress of fuelling tension in the society with an eye on elections.
The remarks by BJP president Amit Shah and Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Thaawarchand Gehlot expressing their commitment to protect the interests of the Dalit and the tribal community came even as Congress chief Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “not uttering a word” on dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In a series of tweets, Shah said a “microscopic minority of dejected and rejected political parties” made the people suffer and sought their apology to “Dalit sisters and brothers”. He also blamed “vested interest groups” for spreading panic on the issue of reservation for Dalits, saying it is done before every election and asserted that the government will do everything to protect rights.
Right from the day the apex court gave its judgment on the Act, the Centre acted in an “immediate and informed” manner and has filed an effective review petition to protect the Dalits’ rights, Shah said. He pointed out that Modi had met MPs belonging to the Scheduled Castes and assured them that the government was doing everything to protect their rights.
Making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour amid ruckus in the House, home minister Rajnath Singh made it clear it was not responsible for the dilution of the SC/ST Act and asserted it was fully committed to protect the interests of the backward communities. He also appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony.
Singh said there have been widespread rumours on the issue of reservation which were “false and baseless” and the government was fully committed to protect the interests of the SC/ST communities.
NEWDELHI: MAKRAND DEOUSKAR, Inspector general of police (intelligence)