Dalit politics over a recent controversial statement made by Minority Affairs minister Mohammad Azam Khan has gained ground with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati condemning the minister's iutterances and asking him to tender apology. The BJP had already demanded immediate sacking of Khan from the state cabinet.
After two days of silence overtheissue, Mayawati gave her reaction on the issue on Wednesday. In a statement released in lucknow on Wednesday, Mayawati alleged that the minister's statement shows the anti-Dalit mindset of Samajwadi Party.
"Dr Ambedkar had worked for the entire society and hence loved by everyone. He prevented the effort to convert the country into a Hindu nation and forced leaders to make it a secular and democratic country," she said.
Mayawati further said that Dr Ambedkar fought for the poor, Dalits, Muslims and down-trodden sections so that they could exercise their rights.
"Azam Khan should have thought twice before making such weird remarks against the iconic leader. It is Khan's duty to respect such a great leader," she said.
"It is one thing if Azam Khan's statement is part of any electoral politics under the casteist policy of the Samajwadi Party. Or else, he should tender an unconditional apology for harming the sentiments of Babasaheb's followers by issuing such controversial statement," asserted Mayawati.
On Monday, without taking the name of Dr Ambedkar, Khan had said in Ghaziabad, “The statue (of Ambedkar) pointing its finger into the distance seems to say that not only does it own the plot of land on which it stands, but also the one towards which it points its finger.”