Congress accuses BJP of shielding Dalit discrimination after FIR against Rahul
The Congress on Monday accused the BJP of promoting social injustice and protecting those allegedly involved in discrimination against Dalits after an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand over his remarks on the alleged 'purification' of a venue where party president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a rally.
The Congress termed the FIR an attempt to divert attention from the alleged incident and suppress voices raising the issue of caste discrimination. The party said it would respond through democratic and legal means.
Congress workers held protests at several places in Uttarakhand, demanding withdrawal of the FIR against Gandhi and action against those allegedly involved in the 'purification' ritual at the venue of Kharge's rally in Haldwani.
Party workers also submitted complaints across the state seeking registration of cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against those allegedly involved in the ritual.
The BJP, meanwhile, staged protests in Uttarakhand and burnt effigies of Gandhi. The party accused the Congress of politicising the issue ahead of the assembly elections and described Gandhi as the "most anti-Dalit leader".
The FIR was registered against Gandhi on Saturday following a complaint by a member of the Valmiki community in Haldwani. The complainant alleged that Gandhi had given a casteist interpretation to a religious ritual during a recent press conference.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Gandhi had raised the issue of alleged injustice, humiliation and discrimination against Dalits, and accused the BJP-RSS of proving his concerns right by filing an FIR against him.
Ramesh said Gandhi had demanded action against those involved in the alleged 'purification' of the venue after Kharge's rally and questioned why no action had been taken against them.
Calling the FIR an attempt to divert attention from the issue, Ramesh said action should be taken against those allegedly responsible for the incident.
Congress general secretary, organisation, K C Venugopal also criticised the BJP and alleged that it was defending casteist behaviour.
He said the Congress would continue to oppose what it described as an attack on the constitutional values of social justice.
Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttarakhand Kumari Selja questioned why no FIR had been registered against those allegedly involved in the 'purification' ritual.
Selja alleged that the BJP government's response showed an "anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution" mindset and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the matter.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also accused the BJP of allowing discrimination against Dalits to continue while targeting those who speak against it.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, however, questioned why Gandhi had taken three weeks to raise the issue. He said Gandhi had failed to respond to Kharge's allegation for weeks and described him as an "irresponsible, anti-Dalit and anti-backward classes" leader.
Congress treasurer Ajay Maken said the Uttarakhand Police had registered an FIR against Gandhi instead of those allegedly involved in the 'purification' ritual.
Another Congress general secretary, Randeep Surjewala, alleged that the FIR reflected the BJP government's "anti-Dalit mindset".
The Congress's SC Department head Rajendra Pal Gautam also accused the BJP-RSS of enabling discrimination and untouchability in the country. (with inputs from PTI)
