With an Ambedkar statue vandalised in Hathras and BJP MP Savitri Bai Phoole holding a rally in Lucknow to safeguard SC/ST reservation interests, Dalit politics is gradually assuming centre-stage.

Phule, who has earlier been vocal against the Modi government on the same issue, held a rally at the Kanshi Ram Smriti Upvan here on Sunday, which was attended by dalits from all over the state. Dubbed the `Save Indian Constitution and save reservation ‘ (Bhartiya samvidhan aur arakshan bachao rally), the BJP MP said the Constitution and the reservation accorded to SC/ST was under threat. The demand for reservation was a right, it was not tantamount to begging for alms.

She alleged that the Central government was conspiring to put an end to reservation. It was a right bestowed on the Dalits by Babasaheb Ambedkar and issued a warning to those who would try to meddle with it.

Earlier the BJP MP  had alleged that the Central government’s policies were directed against the interests of the SC/ST, Backward Classes and the minorities. Following these policies the  Constitution and reservation was also under threat. The BJP MP has also demanded reservation in the private sector.

Even as the BJP MP launched a tirade against the Centre, another incident of an Ambedkar statue being vandalised in Uttar Pradesh was reported from Hathras. The incident occurred in Nagla Brahman village in Hathras district where some anti-social  elements vandalised Ambedkar’s statue installed in a park.

The incident sparked off anger and protest in the area, but timely police intervention helped in cooling down tempers. Police officials said efforts are on to trace the culprits. Meanwhile, steps are being taken to install another Ambedkar statue in the park, reports said.

This is the third incident of damage caused to Dr Ambedkar’s statue being reported from  different parts of the state in the last 24 hours. The first incident occurred in Gohaniya Raj village in Siddhartnagar district where Ambedkar’s statue installed in Buddha Vihar park was vandalised by some anti-social elements on Friday night.