With a video showing remarks by leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Dalits, the Congress took a fresh jibe at the ruling party in the Centre.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi shared the video on Twitter on Sunday while accusing the BJP-RSS of neglecting Dalits and tribals. The charge came amid a frenetic exchange of accusations between the two parties in the heat of the upcoming Karnataka assembly elections.
“Central to the RSS/BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits and Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society,” posted Gandhi from his official Twitter handle.
“In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/BJP leaders is revealed,” Gandhi tweeted with the hashtag #AnswerMaadiModi or Modi must answer in Kannada.
Central to the RSS/ BJP fascist ideology, is that Dalits & Adivasis must continue to exist at the bottom rung of society.
In this disturbing video, the dangers of this mindset and how it’s openly propagated by senior RSS/ BJP leaders is revealed. #AnswerMaadiModi pic.twitter.com/gX2NwL0q27
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 6, 2018
The 2.38 minute video begins with an accusation. “Under Modi’s watch, a Dalit suffers an atrocity every 12 minutes,” claimed the Congress through the video.
Through footages from news channels showing BJP leaders either issuing allegedly anti-Dalit statements or actions, the Congress targeted everyone from BS Yeddyurappa to Yogi Adityanath.
Besides Yeddyurappa, who is the BJP’s CM candidate in the Karnataka elections, the video also shows Union Minister and Karnataka leader Anant Kumar Hegde’s footage in which he is seen speaking on changing the Constitution.
It also shows the alleged marking of young men who appeared for medical examination for constable posts in Madhya Pradesh with ‘SC’ and ‘ST’ stamps on their chests.
The video also shows the 2016 Una incident.
“Why are Dalits constantly prosecuted in Modi’s new India… His silence reflects the mindset of RSS and BJP… Speak-up Mr Modi,” the video added.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, too, shared Gandhi’s post with comments of his own.
“What Dalits need are not empty outreach strategies like having meals with them. What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice. Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners?” wrote Siddaramaiah.
What Dalits need are not empty outreach strategies like having meals with them.
What they need is empowerment with dignity and justice.
Will you take affirmative action or will you continue to send your leaders to Dalit homes with packed dinners? #AnswerMaadiModi https://t.co/430b5iBLto
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 6, 2018
Karnataka will vote in the Assembly elections on 12 May. The state has 23.5 per cent Dalit population.