The Congress and the BJP on Thursday took on each other over who rightfully owned the Dalit legacy in the country with their chiefs Rahul Gandhi and Amit Shah leading the charge.
As Rahul accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of having an "anti-Dalit" mindset and asserted that his party will fight for an India where there is place for everybody, Shah took a dig on the Congress leader and sought him to check facts when "free from winking" and alleged it was the opposition party that had a legacy of insulting Dalits.
In a series of tweets, Shah said the Prime Minister's legacy includes "strongest amendments to SC/ST Act" and setting up of the OBC Commission, while the Congress legacy was about nsulting Dalit leaders, opposing the Mandal Commission report and blocking a move to empower the OBC body.
His attack at the Congress and its president came after Rahul joined a protest at Jantar Mantar and criticised Modi over his Government's policies towards Dalits.
The anti-atrocities act was brought by the Congress and the party will protect it together with everybody, Rahul said.
Dalits are being openly beaten and crushed in States where the BJP is in power, Gandhi said while addressing the gathering.
"We don't want an India like this. We want an India in which there should be place for everybody, whether Dalits, poor, tribals or minorities... Everybody should progress. We will fight for such an India," he said.
Attacking the Prime Minister, Rahul said, "His thinking is anti-Dalit. All Dalits and people from the weaker sections know that the Prime Minister has no place for Dalits in his heart and mind and wants to crush Dalits. That is why we are standing against him."
To Rahul's claim on the dalit legacy, Shah suggested that the Congress leader should do a hard reality check.
"Why are you protesting thatij", Shah asked Rahul while talking about the new bill that seeks to reverse a recent Supreme Court order that put additional safeguards against arrest of accused in cases of atrocities against Dalits.
Attacking Rahul, Shah said it would have been good if the Congress leader had spoken about his party's treatment of Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Babu Jagjivan Ram and Sitaram Kesari.
"Congress way of treating Dalits is patronising and condescending. For years Congress insulted Dalit aspirations," Shah said.
The BJP chief asked whether it was a co-incidence that the year Sonia Gandhi joined the Congress, the third front-Congress Government opposed reservations in promotions and the year Rahul Gandhi became the party president, it opposed a tough SC/ SCT Act and the OBC Commission. "Anti-backward mindset visible," Shah tweeted.
"Mr Rahul Gandhi, expecting research and honesty is difficult from you but do read Mr Rajiv Gandhi's speech during Mandal (row), when he opposed it (its recommendations) tooth & nail. The sense of entitlement and hatred for backward communities comes out so clearly. And today you talk about Dalit welfare!" he tweeted.