Five Dalit BJP MPs Raise Voice Against Own Party, Say Party Didnt Handle Dalit Issues Properly
Image Credit: The Wire

Five Dalit BJP MPs Raise Voice Against Own Party, Say Party Didn't Handle Dalit Issues Properly

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In the wake of the recent Dalit March ahead of the 2019 general elections, the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh has run into trouble. Four of BJP’s Dalit MPs from UP and one from Delhi has openly voiced their dissent against the way the party has handled issues concerning the marginalised section of the society.

Lok Sabha members – Savitri Bai Phule from Bahraich, Chhote Lal Kharwar from Robertsganj, Ashok Kumar Dohre from Etawah, Yashwant Singh from Nagina and Dr Udit Raj from Delhi – are of the opinion that the party did not handle properly cases of atrocities against Dalits, reported The Wire.


Their complaints

A few days ago, Chhote Lal Kharwar alleged that he was harassed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath when he tried to complain about discrimination that he faced in his own administration. He complained to PM Modi in a letter that his complaints and pleas were falling on deaf ears among his own party members. He has also lodged a formal complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.

Savitri Bai Phule, who has been disappointed with the party for some time organised an independent rally in Lucknow on April 1. The colour of the rally was blue with Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Ram’s portrait in the centre stage. During the protest she said “I am India’s MP and it doesn’t matter if I remain MP or not, but will not tolerate any changes to the constitution and reservation,” reported The Wire. The rally was called the Bhartiya Samvidhan and Aarakshan Bachao Maha Rally (Save Indian Constitution and Reservation rally).

Ashok Kumar Dohre from Etawah has allegations against UP police. He has alleged that since violence erupted during Bharat Bandh, the police have been using foul language against Dalits and registering false cases against them.

In his letter to PM Modi, Dohre wrote that Dalits were specifically picked up and framed in false cases. Dohre told The Wire, “I was in Delhi as the parliament was in session. I received several phones that Dalits are being targeted. This was happening everywhere including UP. So I met the prime minister and handed over a letter. He had a word with several state administration officials regarding the issue.” Dohre praised Modi, terming him as his leader.

Yashwant Singh has made similar complaints. He says that before Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, he promised a government that was going to be for the poor and marginalised. He further says that four years have gone by and the 30 crore Dalits of the country are still waiting for that to happen.

Dr Udit Raj, a parliamentarian from North West Delhi, is also of the same opinion. He says that Dalits are being arrested for no fault of their own after Bharat Bandh.


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Editor : Poorbita Bagchi

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