Lucknow: Samajwadi Party has reacted sharply to allegations of caste discrimination levelled by BJP’s Dalit MLA from Mohanlalganj Jai Devi at Sheetla Temple in Lucknow’s Kakori, saying that the incident has exposed the caste bias rampant under state govt.
Jai Devi has accused the temple administration of denying her due respect during a bhoomi pujan and foundation-laying ceremony for the temple’s renovation. She alleged that she was not allowed to touch a brick, light an incense stick or break the coconut as part of the ritual held on Wednesday.
National general secretary of SP Baba Sahab Ambedkar Vahini, Rambabu Sudarshan, described the incident as ‘very unfortunate’.
“The fact that such an incident has happened in the state capital and after 9 years of BJP govt explains the state of affairs at caste discrimination front across UP. The incident has only proven BJP’s position on caste bias. The allegations are levelled by BJP’s own sitting Dalit MLA who is the wife of two-time BJP MP and former Union minister late Kaushal Kishore. Had it been any MLA from another party, the BJP’s troll army would have painted the whole incident as politically motivated,” he said.
Sudarshan said the incident not only highlights the plight of a sitting Dalit MLA but also the sentiments and emotions of crores of Dalits in the state and in the country.
“BJP and RSS talk of uniting Hindus with slogans like Batenge to Katenge (divided we lose). Is this how the BJP wants to unite Hindus? Such incidents prompts one to ponder if the BJP even recognises Dalits as Hindus or not?” Sudarshan said.
Courtesy : TOI
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