IYC protests outside RSS office over alleged 'casteist' ideology, burns Manusmriti pages

Indian Youth Congress workers on Sunday, August 30, staged a protest outside the RSS headquarters in Jhandewalan against what they alleged was the "discriminatory and casteist" ideology of the BJP-RSS, with some protesters burning pages of the Manusmriti during the demonstration.

The protest was led by IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib, who carried a copy of the Constitution and raised slogans against the Manusmriti along with other Youth Congress workers.

Protesters carried copies of the Constitution's Preamble, posters opposing the Manusmriti and copies of the ancient text. Visuals showed some of them burning pages of the Manusmriti, while partially burnt copies and posters carrying messages such as "Reject Manu Smriti" were seen on the ground.

Chib alleged that the country was witnessing a battle between the ideology of the Constitution and that of the BJP-RSS, which he claimed was inspired by the Manusmriti and was "anti-Dalit".

"This country will be governed by the Constitution, not by the Manusmriti," Chib said.

He also criticised the alleged "purification" of a stage in Uttarakhand following a programme attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, describing the incident as an insult to Dalits and the Constitution.

Police detained Chib during the protest and took him to Paharganj police station, according to the IYC.

IYC national general secretary Hari Krishna and other Youth Congress office-bearers were also present at the demonstration.

There was no immediate statement from the RSS on the Youth Congress' allegations.

(With inputs from PTI)