As BJP is trying to step up its organisational thrust to win over backward caste constituency by observing ‘Ambedkar Samajik Nyay Diwas’ on April 14, the birthday of Dalit icon BhimRao Ambedkar, two of its Dalit MPs have registered protest against the alleged move to end reservation, dilution of SC/ST atrocities Act, and UP Government’s decision to add Ambedkar’s middle name ‘Ramji’ in State official records.
The voices of ‘Dalit dissent’ from within have come close to the party gearing up to observe April 14 as social justice day in all districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Alipore Road memorial , the last residence of Ambedkar in the Capital, on the same day.
BJP MP from Baharaich constituency of Eastern Uttar Pradesh Savatri Bai Phule, has launched an open revolt against her party-led Governments at the Centre and the State. She has been lashing out at a section of the senior leaders of the BJP for allegedly ‘fiddling with the constitution’.
Phule alleged that the BJP was trying to end reservation at the behest of some of its senior leaders, and announced agitation under the banner of ‘Namo Buddhai Jenseva Simiti. With an eye on lok Sabha poll in her constituency, Phule has been soliciting support of Scheduled Castes, OBCs and minorities in her constituency.
The MP has sought introduction of reservation in private sector, strengthening of prevention of atrocities against SC and ST, introduction of a promotion quota in Government departments and ensuring reservation for dalits and minorities in it.
BJP leaders have offered no comments on her rebellion in the State. The MP has become more vocal after Supreme court ruling againstany automatic arrest under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities ) Act.
In its ruling on March 23, the Supreme Court expressed concern over rampant misuse of the SC/ST Act and introduced the provision of anticipatory bail and directed that there would be no automatic arrest on any complaint filed under the law and a preliminary inquiry must be conducted by police within seven days before taking any action.
Another BJP MP Udit Raj has taken exception to UP government’s decision to add Ambedkar’s middle name ‘Ramji’ in all state records . He said the move would create an unnecessary controversy.
“I don’t find any reason to change his name, it’s an individual’s freedom to decide how he wants to be known, Why create a controversy unnecessarilyIJ”, he said reacting to UP Government’s decision, seen by political opponents of the BJP as an act of appropriating dalit icon’s name.
The MP from North-West Delhi also claimed that the community was not happy on the move. The UP Government had recently sent a circular saying “documents related to Government will now have his correct name”. Ramji is the middle name of Ambedkar’s father.
The BJP has chalked out about a month-long programme sheet for various organisational functions including observing Rs Ambedkar samajik NyayRs divas on April 14 in all districts . A range of programmes would continue from April 14 to May five which would include April 18 Rs Swachch Bharat DivasRs , April 20 Rs Ujjawala divaRs , April 24 Rs Panchayati Raj DivasRs and April April 30 Rs Swasth Bharat divasRs and May 2 Rs Kisan kalian divasRs and May 5 Rs Ajivika and kaushal divas.Rs All these functions will be attended by all the MPs ,MlAs and party workers in all the districts across the country.