Opposing the state government move to throw open the memorials and parks constructed during Mayawati regime for organising marriage the Bahujan Samaj party approached Governor B.l. Joshi demanding that the Samajwadi party Government should be sacked.
"The Uttar Pradesh Government should be sacked and President’s rule should be imposed for state government’s anti-dalit decision to throw open the gates of parks for marriages. These are the places of pilgrimage for dalits," the BSP leaders said in their memorandum which they submitted to the Governor on Monday.
A three member delegation of the BSP leaders comprising party general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, leader of the opposition in the legislative council Nasimuddin Siddiqui and leader of opposition in the assembly Swami Prasad Maurya handed over 12-page memorandum to the Governor.
''The action of the UP government will violate Act 1975 which prohibits use of parks, playgrounds and open space for any other purpose other than mentioned in the master plan,'' the memorandum said.
It also said that if the state government goes ahead with its plan it will also be contempt of the Supreme Court as well as the Allahabad High Court, who had monitored the construction of the memorials and parks at lucknow and Noida.
''The memorials and parks named after dalit icon, if being given for other purpose would hurt the sentiments of the dalits of the country,'' it further said.
The state government had decided to throw open the memorials constructed in memory of dalit icons during previous Mayawati regime to organize marriages and cultural programmes.
The Samarak Sanrakshan Samiti (Memorial Maintenance Committee) - which is responsible for maintenance of these monuments - has send a proposal to the government to give open spaces in memorials and parks on rent for weddings and other functions. It has also suggested to shift bus stand to Ram bai Maidan from existing Alambagh area.
The previous Mayawati Government had constructed 14 parks andmemorials in memory of dalit icone in lucknow and Noida at thecost of over Rs 5100 crore.
later Swami Prasad Maurya told The Pioneer that if Government does not rescind its decision the BSP would be forced to take this fight to the streets. "We will not allow denigration of these monuments," he said.