Two separate cases — one involving atrocities on Dalits in Guajrat, and the second of a BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh hurling abuses at BSP chief Mayawati — resounded powerfully in the both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday. While the Opposition charged the BJP with unleashing an agenda to divide communities, the Government listed incidents of Dalit violence during the Congress regime at the Centre and asserted that the Anandiben Patel Government in Gujarat had acted “swiftly and effectively” to nab the culprits.
The brutal assault on seven Dalits by some vigilantes who caught them skinning dead cows in Una saw massive protest in both Houses, but what further inflamed the situation was BJP UP unit vice-president Dayashankar’s highly derogatory attack on Mayawati. The words used by the BJP leader amounted to character assassination of the BSP leader, who went on offensive in the Rajya Sabha the moment TV channels flashed the news.
While the entire Opposition shared her sentiments, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley attempted damage control by offering “regret” in the House and the party immediately sacked Dayashankar from all party posts. “It is not right, and I condemn the use of such words. I express personal regrets. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you,” Jaitley said.
Taking note of the remarks, the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh said “appropriate action” will be taken against him by the State Government. “We will take appropriate action. The party condemns such a statement which is against the dignity of a woman. This is the real character of BJP leaders,” said SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury.
Dayashankar made the derogatory remark against Mayawati in Mau.
The controversy came at a time when the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was trying to corner the Government over the beating up of seven Dalit men in Gujarat for skinning dead cows. A furious Mayawati demanded that Singh be expelled and warned the Government that she will not be responsible if people hit the streets. Her party threatened to take legal action against the BJP leader.
She was joined by leaders from other parties, including the Congress. The BJP has been wooing Dalits, a politically crucial community in Uttar Pradesh which goes to the polls early next year, and Singh's comments have the potential to damage its efforts. The party hopes that it will be able to contain the damage by acting swiftly against him.
leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded that the person be arrested and added that "someone with such a mentality should have no place in any party or hold any office in any party."
BSP leader SC Mishra, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, DMK member Kanimozhi and TMC leader Derek O'Brien too condemned the remarks. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien said the entire House unanimously condemns the remark and asked the Government to ensure that strictest action is taken against the person who made the statement as per the law.
Earlier, in the lok Sabha, barring members of the AIADMK, MPs of all Opposition parties raised slogans against the Government over atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat. Congress MPs trooped into the well of the House during zero hour and accused the BJP and the RSS of working for "Dalit-mukt Bharat". Home Minister Rajnath retaliated with a long list of incidents of atrocities faced by Dalits during Congress rule in Gujarat from 1991 to 2001 till Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of the State in 2001.
Singh said there was a drop in anti-Dalit atrocities after 2001 onwards. He said the Modi Government took positive steps for all communities. The Home Minister was interrupted by the Congress MPs with Mallikarjun Kharge asking the former to not to reel off history and demanded a joint Parliamentary party to be constituted and sent to the site of the incident to find out which organisation was behind the violence. "Baap-dada (father-grandfather) of 80 per cent of yours were also in the Congress then," Kharge said.
Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu urged the Speaker to delete the references to "baap dada" and pointed that none of them "ever smelled of the Songress."
The Home Minister insisted that the Anandiben Patel Government had acted "swiftly and effectively" by arresting nine of the accused and is working to have special court to try them. The State Government is also providing medical care and already provided Rs 1 lakh (of the total Rs 5 lakh) compensation to the victims, he said.