Lalu Yadav And The Ambedkar Photo Controversy: How BJP Turned The ‘Dalit’ Table In Bihar In 12 Months
Lalu Yadav Ambedkar Photo Controversy: A viral photo of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, appearing to disrespect a portrait of BR Ambedkar, has sparked outrage among Bihar In politics, a week is a long time, and a year feels like a lifetime. It is no wonder that after last May’s Lok Sabha election results, when the BJP lost 28 seats in Uttar Pradesh and nine in Bihar, the party was uneasy. A year ago, it was grappling with how the slogan ‘400 paar’ had been used against it by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, RJD, Samajwadi Party, and other opposition parties. They projected fears of reservation vanishing, which dearly cost the BJP. The SP called it a triumph of ‘PDA’ (pichda-dalit-adivasi) and the RJD claimed it as Dalits rejecting the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). But things have changed in Bihar, where an assembly election is scheduled later this year. A viral photo op has significantly shifted the political landscape. On RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday, a follower gifted him with a portrait of BR Ambedkar, which he seemingly did not acknowledge. The video shows the former chief minister of Bihar stretching his legs while the portrait is placed on the chair, appearing disrespectful. Ambedkar is revered by many backward communities in Bihar, where Scheduled Castes (SC) make up 19.65 per cent and Scheduled Tribes (ST) constitute 1.68 per cent of the population, as per a 2022 caste-based survey. This incident has angered over 20 per cent of Bihar’s population, presenting an opportunity for the BJP just ahead of the elections. The BJP deployed its top leaders to capitalise on the incident, including former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who carefully criticised Lalu Prasad without hurting Bihari pride. He stressed on the disrespect shown to Ambedkar, stating: “I have one lament. What has happened to you, Lalu Yadav ji? All these talks of backwards were just for pretense? The man who gave us the Constitution, who gave us reservation, you are disrespecting that person — Dr BR Ambedkar! My mind is troubled. I am hurt. The disrespect shown to his photo exposes the real intent of Lalu Yadav and the RJD. The elephant has one set of teeth for eating and another just to show. Neither Bihar nor India will forgive Lalu ji or RJD ever.” The Bihar BJP has been vigorously promoting this photo through social media, using hashtags like ‘Dalit Virodhi RJD’. On Monday, it tweeted that five days had gone by without an apology from Lalu Yadav, attributing this to his “pride”. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who is from the Dalit community, also criticised Lalu Prasad, saying: “One came with a photo of Bhimrao Ambedkar and he wanted to gift him (Lalu Prasad). The body language of Lalu ji indicates a pride, which was reflected even in the way he was sitting. Now that this matter has become so big and you have disrespected Babasaheb, but his pride stops him from apologising.” Meghwal said disrespecting Ambedkar while claiming to support the unprivileged cannot go hand in hand. “People of Bihar, in the coming days will teach Lalu ji a lesson,” he added. Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav, who was in charge of the BJP’s 2020 Bihar polls, demanded an apology. “Bihar’s citizen hasn’t forgotten the tenure of Lalu ji. During Lalu ji’s reign, the most amount of injustices were perpetrated against extremely backwards and Dalits…He is so submerged in his pride…that scene itself depicts his pride. That is why India’s poor, extremely backwards, those who believe in social justice, know the way Lalu ji kept the photo near his leg…it hurt me too. I personally think he should apologise,” he said. Five days later, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav dismissed the issue saying: “This is not even an issue. No one has insulted anyone…” The Bihar SC commission, however, thinks otherwise. It has issued a notice to Lalu Yadav for allegedly insulting Ambedkar on his birth anniversary, giving him 15 days to respond. As the BJP goes all out in Bihar, it is remarkable to see how much can change in a year in Indian politics. An election slogan or a photo op can indeed be decisive. Reported By : Anindya Banerjee Edited By:Oindrila Mukherjee About the Author Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat Courtesy : News18 Note: This news is originally published on https:/news18.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
New caste census faces resistance from sections of OBCs
Bengaluru: The govt’s decision to commission a new socio-economic and educational survey, commonly known as the caste census, has drawn mixed responses from communities. While a section of backward classes has voiced strong opposition, politically dominant communities such as Lingayats and Vokkaligas have welcomed the move. Some representatives of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are urging the govt to implement the recommendations of the original report drawn up by the Kantharaj Commission, which was submitted to the govt by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (BC commission) last year. This report favours OBCs, especially communities like Kurubas, who were classified under a separate 1-B category with 12% reservation. The report also proposed doubling reservation for Muslims from 4% to 8%, a recommendation that has reportedly disappointed some in the Muslim community due to its perceived insufficiency. The Shoshitha Vargagala Maha Okkota (Great Federation of Exploited Communities), an umbrella organisation representing OBCs, backward classes, and minorities, has threatened a statewide agitation against a new census. K Ramachadrappa, president of the Maha Okkota and former head of Karnataka Pradesha Kurubara Sangha, criticised the govt for discarding the Kantharaj Commission report after spending Rs 168 crore on it. “The govt claims the survey must be conducted once every 10 years, but that is irrelevant since the Kantharaj report was never implemented,” he said. “Our demand is to implement its recommendations. We will meet on Friday (June 20) to decide on modalities of the agitation.” In contrast, Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, which had opposed the Kantharaj report, have expressed support for a fresh enumeration. B Kenchappa Gowda, president of Vokkaligara Sangha, said the Sangha plans to conduct an online survey of Vokkaliga communities to “complement” the govt’s proposed census. Similarly, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva-Lingayat Mahasabha is preparing an outreach programme to spread awareness on the upcoming survey. Officials indicate that the official order to commence the census may be issued on Thursday (June 19), the birthday of Rahul Gandhi, Lok Sabha LoP and senior Congress functionary. Rahul, a major proponent of social justice through caste-based surveys, is said to have encouraged the state govt to adopt a model like Telangana’s survey. Backward classes welfare minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said: “Procedure will be followed. We are considering suggestions on the survey’s modalities and schedule. I will consult chief minister Siddaramaiah, and an order will be issued soon based on his directions.” The cabinet has set a 90-day timeline to complete the enumeration. However, the govt is yet to nominate members to the BC commission. Moreover, the involvement of schoolteachers in the survey may disrupt the academic calendar. Madhusudan R Naik, chairman of the BC commission, confirmed that preliminary work on the survey has begun, with efforts underway to fill the commission’s vacant positions. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Rahul’s vision of social justice to reflect in UP block and nyay panchayat, says Pande
Lucknow: As part of its ongoing organisation-building campaign, the UP Congress will strengthen the block-level network across all 823 blocks of the state. They will also work to create units at the level of the Nyay Panchayats. AICC in charge for UP, Avinash Pande, who issued the instructions, said, “Understanding grassroots issues from the grassroots level, such as block and Nyay Panchayat level, will enable us to fight for public interests against the anti-people BJP govt.” He also said that the organisational units at the block and Nyay Panchayat will reflect Rahul Gandhi’s vision of social justice, where every section of society must get a place in the party hierarchy. State president Ajay Rai said that by connecting workers at the block level, the party can perform better in panchayat and assembly elections. He stressed the importance of addressing key issues related to Bundelkhand and fighting for the people at the grassroots level. He also instructed all coordinators to establish coordination with senior Congress leaders and workers in their respective areas to achieve the goals of the organisation creation campaign within the set timeframe. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Demand for Dalit CM is not under discussion for now, says Satish Jarkiholi
It has been put on a pause for over a year, according to Public Works Minister Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has clarified that the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka is currently not under discussion. It has been put on a pause for over a year, he added. Addressing the media in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Mr. Jarkiholi said that the matter may be seriously revisited and discussed during the 2028 State elections. When questioned about the growing calls for a Dalit Chief Minister, Mr. Jarkiholi responded, “as of now, this issue is not in discussion within our party as we have put a full stop to it. Let us take it up seriously during the 2028 elections.” He emphasised that the topic has not been active for the past year. Responding to BJP leader H. Vishwanath’s recent remark suggesting a change in Chief Minister in November, Mr. Jarkiholi dismissed it outright, stating that Mr. Vishwanath is not a member of the Congress and hence, his statement holds no relevance. “Why should I respond to comments made by someone from another party?” he questioned. Taking a dig at the BJP’s repeated criticisms over the implementation of the Congress-led government’s guarantee schemes at the cost of development, Mr. Jarkiholi said that development projects and welfare schemes are going on hand-in-hand. “The BJP has been claiming for two years that there is no development because of the guarantee schemes and they will continue to do so for the next three years. However, in reality, all development works are progressing effectively alongside the guarantee programmes,” he said, urging people to compare department allocations under the previous BJP government led by Basavaraj Bommai and the current government led by Siddaramaiah to understand the difference. On the issue of GST compensation, the Minister criticised the Union government for withholding Karnataka’s dues. “We contribute ₹2 lakh crore in GST to the Centre. At the very least half of that should be returned to the State. So far, we have received only ₹36,000 crore,” he said and added that Karnataka’s tax money is being diverted to fund infrastructure projects such as the Yamuna and Ganga expressways in States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “Our money is being used to build roads in other States,” he added. Courtesy : The Hindu Bureau, The Hindu Note: This news is originally published on https:/thehindu.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit CM not on cards till 2028: Satish Jarkiholi
KALABURAGI: There will be no more discussion on a Dalit chief minister in Karnataka, and the issue will be looked into after the 2028 Assembly elections, said PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi here on Sunday. Reacting to BJP leaders’ criticism that the Congress government is not implementing the five guarantees properly, he said the opposition parties are making the allegation for the last two years and will continue with it for another three years. People are happy with the guarantees and the government is also implementing several development works, he justified. Jarkiholi asked people to look at the budget presented and implemented by the previous Basavaraj Bommai government and the one by the Siddaramaiah government. He said Karnataka is giving Rs 2 lakh crore as GST to the Union government, but in return getting only Rs 37,000 crore. “The Centre is utilising our share of GST to build the Ganga-Yamuna Highway which would benefit UP and Bihar,” he alleged. On BJP MLC AH Vishwanath’s statement that the chief minister would be changed in September, Jarkiholi declined to comment. But Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa said that as per his knowledge, the Congress High Command is not proposing to replace Siddaramaiah. In a tongue-in-cheek commented, Mahadevappa said he is not aware of the Congress high command informing Vishwanath about the change in leadership. “Siddaramaiah is the chief minister and will continue to be the CM,” he added. On BJP president BY Vijayendra’s allegations that the CM and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were responsible for the stampede at Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives on June 4, he termed the accusation “childish”. “The incident is deeply painful and should not have happened. Judicial and magisterial inquiries have been ordered, and we must wait for their findings to know who is responsible,” he said. “Similar incidents have occurred in Uttar Pradesh and also a plane crashed in Ahmedabad. Did anyone demand Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resignation over those incidents? Politics should not be involved in such tragedies,” he added. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Why is Prashant firing ‘shells’ on Rahul instead of Lalu? Is there any sign of a big stir in Bihar politics?
It is an election year in Bihar, so political shells are being fired on anything. Prashant Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Yadav for insulting Ambedkar. Patna/Muzaffarpur: Former election strategist Prashant Kishore claimed that the Congress has made itself a stooge of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to criticize Lalu Prasad Yadav for keeping Ambedkar’s statue (photo) near his feet. Prashant Kishore’s new party ‘Jan Suraj’ wants to contest the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Prashant Kishore was talking to the media in Muzaffarpur. Challenge to Rahul on Ambedkar photo controversy Responding to a question about Congress’ prospects, Kishore said, ‘Congress has limited itself to being a stooge of RJD in Bihar. Earlier the state Congress was grateful to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav (Lalu’s younger son and his potential successor). I ask Rahul Gandhi to do one small thing to prove me wrong. He should just issue a statement criticizing Lalu Prasad for keeping Ambedkar’s picture near his feet.’ What is the Ambedkar photo controversy related to Lalu? Actually, on June 11, 2025, RJD chief Lalu Yadav celebrated his 78th birthday. On June 14, a video surfaced in which Lalu Yadav is sitting on a chair. He is keeping his feet on another chair in front. Meanwhile, a supporter comes with Ambedkar’s picture in his hand. Starts getting photographed with Lalu Yadav. The way the photo has been taken, it seems that Ambedkar’s picture is near Lalu Yadav’s feet. Now there is a political controversy over this. On this whole matter, Prashant Kishore is firing political shells at Rahul Gandhi. Prashant Kishor is raining political shells on Rahul Prashant Kishor targeted the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha and said that he never attacked the Chief Minister of Congress-ruled Telangana who had mocked the people of Bihar and said that doing small jobs (labor) is in their DNA. The founder of Jan Suraj Party also demanded the resignation of the state Health Minister and senior BJP leader Mangal Pandey over the recent death of a minor Dalit girl from Muzaffarpur. The victim died a few days after being brutally sexually assaulted. Tiff with Bihar minister Ashok Chaudhary too Prashant Kishor also targeted senior minister and Janata Dal-United (JDU) national general secretary Ashok Chaudhary. Ashok Chaudhary has filed a case against him for the allegation that his (Ashok Chaudhary’s) daughter Shambhavi, who is an MP from Samastipur, got a ticket from Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) after money transaction. The founder of Jan Suraj Party alleged, ‘Ashok Chaudhary and his daughter should tell the people of Bihar what they have done for Dalits? They have always used their Dalit identity for their own benefit.’ Edited by: Sunil Pandey About the author Sunil Pandey Currently fulfilling his passion for journalism in Navbharat Times. He has held important positions in many institutions including ETV News, Zee Media, News18. He is considered an expert in reporting/editing on ground and research stories. He has a good grasp on political and social issues. Courtesy : Hindi News
Lalu’s health deteriorated, now some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag’, PK said- If Congress has the guts, then it should fight the elections alone
Bihar Politics: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore attacked the Mahagathbandhan. He made sharp attacks on Congress and Tejashwi Yadav. Kishore challenged Rahul Gandhi to contest the elections alone. He also questioned the statement made by the Chief Minister of Telangana on Biharis. Kishore announced that Jansuraj Party will contest elections on all 243 seats. Muzaffarpur: Jansuraj Abhiyan founder Prashant Kishore fired many sharp questions, especially taking on RJD-Congress and Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. Prashant Kishore was talking to journalists at the Circuit House in Muzaffarpur on Sunday. When Lalu’s health deteriorated, some people started carrying Tejashwi’s bag Prashant Kishore said- ‘Lalu ji’s health has deteriorated, so some people have now started carrying Tejashwi’s bag. What is the status of Congress in Bihar? If Congress has the guts, if it has the political guts (courage), then it should fight the elections alone in Bihar.’ He said- ‘Rahul Gandhi says ‘don’t be afraid’, so we also want to say to Rahul Gandhi, don’t be afraid, fight the elections alone.’ He also commented on Lalu Prasad Yadav and said that the person who was sitting with his feet in front of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s picture, should show the courage to make a statement on him. If labour is in the DNA of Biharis, then why do they come to ask for votes? He also reacted to the video of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in which it was said that labour is in the DNA of Biharis. On this Prashant Kishore raised the question- ‘If the Chief Minister of Congress insults Biharis like this, then Congress should tell what action did they take on this? If labour is the DNA of Biharis, then why do you come to Bihar to ask for votes? Go to Telangana and ask for votes.’ The party will contest elections on all 243 seats Prashant Kishore made a big announcement and said that it has already been announced that the party will contest elections on 243 seats. For this, two potential candidates have been fielded on each seat by taking Rs 21,000. These candidates themselves are declaring themselves as potential candidates by putting up posters and banners in their area.’ Those who are not associated with any political party will be made candidates He clarified that the party will make only those people as candidates who are not associated with any political party and who are actively working in the Jansuraj movement. Prashant Kishore said- ’90 percent of the candidates will be like this, there can be only two-four exceptions.’ He claimed that the public will now decide who is the better candidate. Everyone in the whole of Bihar knows that no one can buy the idea of Jansuraj. We have so much transparency and public support that no political power can buy us. Edited by: Ravi Sinha• Reported by: Sandeep Kumar Ravi Sinha Working in the Bihar-Jharkhand team of Navbharat Times Digital. Got the opportunity to work as Jharkhand representative in Rajasthan Patrika from December 2005 to April 2020. Worked as a casual assistant editor in the regional news section of Doordarshan Ranchi and Akashvani Center. Courtesy: Hindi News
‘Sidekick of RJD’: Congress has bowed to Tejashwi, says Prashant Kishore; dares Rahul to slam Lalu over Ambedkar row
NEW DELHI: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing them of political subservience. Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarpur, Kishor said that Congress in Bihar had reduced itself to a “sidekick” of RJD. “Earlier, Congress was beholden to Lalu Prasad, now it is the turn of Tejashwi Yadav,” he remarked. He also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to publicly criticise RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for placing a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar at his feet. “I ask Rahul Gandhi to do a small thing to prove me wrong. Let him issue just one statement criticising Lalu Prasad for having a portrait of Ambedkar placed at his feet,” he said. Kishor also took a swipe at Gandhi for not reprimanding Telangana’s chief minister for allegedly mocking Biharis by saying “menial jobs were in their DNA”. He questioned Gandhi’s silence on the remark, which drew widespread criticism. The Jan Suraaj leader further demanded the resignation of Bihar health minister and BJP leader Mangal Pandey following the death of a minor Dalit girl in Muzaffarpur after a brutal sexual assault. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Welfare officer axed over Rahul’s visit to SC/ST hostel
Darbhanga: The suspension of district welfare officer (DWO) Alok Kumar following Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s alleged unauthorised visit to the Ambedkar Kalyan Chhatravas (AKC) hostel in Darbhanga on May 15 has sparked controversy. Gandhi was scheduled to address a gathering at the local town hall, for which official permission had been granted, but instead proceeded to the hostel with a large number of party workers. Kumar’s suspension was communicated on Saturday through a letter issued by Vivek Sehra, secretary of the state SC/ST welfare department. According to sources, the local Congress unit had initially sought permission on May 13 to hold Gandhi’s event at the AKC hostel. DWO Kumar rejected the request and forwarded the matter to the state SC/ST welfare department. However, no directive was received in response. Subsequently, the Congress unit secured permission to hold the event at the town hall, making the necessary payment to the Darbhanga Municipal Corporation. Despite this, Gandhi, upon arrival on May 15, bypassed the approved venue and moved to the hostel instead, accompanied by a large crowd of supporters. Curiously, the dilapidated road leading to the AKC was repaired overnight in anticipation of his visit. Senior district officials were also present during the late-night roadworks. On the morning of the visit, a DSP arrived at the hostel and found himself in a difficult situation due to the large gathering. He recommended deploying additional forces, but no reinforcements were sent. Gandhi proceeded to enter the hostel, interacted with inmates and addressed the crowd of party workers. When contacted, suspended DWO Alok Kumar said, “I have been axed for no fault of mine. I rejected the request and sent the matter to the state department within 20 minutes. The district administration, without consulting me, renovated the road, which locals had been requesting for a long time but was never done.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Baba Saheb’s picture near Lalu’s feet, may change RJD’s fate, 36 hours of Ambedkar controversy
Political uproar in Bihar due to Lalu Yadav’s video going viral, Ambedkar’s picture controversy has a bad effect on RJD, RJD’s influence on Dalit vote bank may reduce. Patna: Before the assembly elections to be held at the end of the year in Bihar, RJD is constantly seen embroiled in controversies. The crisis on Lalu Prasad Yadav does not seem to reduce. Recently, after the controversy over the love affair of elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, now the RJD supremo himself is embroiled in the controversy of insulting Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s picture. It is about his 78th birthday. When a person reached with a picture of Baba Saheb Ambedkar to congratulate him. He started taking photos while presenting the picture. He held the picture in such a way that it appeared near Lalu Yadav’s feet. Then 3 days later, the video of the incident which went viral created a political uproar. This controversy can have a deep impact on the image of RJD before the assembly elections. It is being speculated that this controversy may change the fate of RJD. Let’s understand how… What did Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary say? After the Ambedkar photo controversy, political parties are continuously targeting Lalu Prasad Yadav. The state’s Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said that “It has been more than 36 hours since the video of Baba Saheb’s insult came out. The whole of Bihar is hurt by that video, but till now not even two words of regret have come from RJD. However, Bihar has definitely seen the arrogance of Lalu Prasad’s beloved son Tejashwi. Tejashwi refused to accept the insult of Baba Saheb. He called it a frivolous topic. Our question is that even after insulting Baba Saheb by keeping his photo near his feet, Lalu ji’s beloved son does not feel insulted in it, then after what other insult will RJD accept that it has been insulted? RJD first ‘insults’ Baba Saheb and then shows ‘arrogance’. The picture of Baba Saheb’s insult that everyone has seen in the video is the real character of RJD.” What will be the impact on RJD? Before the assembly elections to be held at the end of the year in Bihar, all the parties are busy gathering their vote banks. But the Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s picture insult controversy can have a bad effect on RJD. This can cause RJD to lose control over the Dalit vote bank. Let us tell you that 18 to 20% of the population in Bihar is Dalit. 31.3 percent of the total Dalit population is of the Chamar caste. Dusadh caste is in second place. 30.9% of the total Scheduled Caste population is of Dusadh or Paswan. After this, there is the population of Musahar, Pasi, Dhobi and Bhuiya caste respectively. That is, the Dalit community in Bihar has the role of forming the government and spoiling the equation. Talking about the last election, 38 Dalit MLAs won the election in the year 2020. Which includes 13 from Paswan caste, 13 from Ravidas caste, 7 from Musahar community, 3 from Pasi caste and one MLA from Mehatar caste. Courtesy: Hindi News