Dalits facing atrocities in BJP-ruled states after Bharat bandh: BSP chief Mayawati
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Sunday claimed that Dalits were facing atrocities in states governed by Bharatiya Janata Party after a 'successful' Bharat bandh.
"Bharat Bandh protest was largely successful. This has left the BJP scared and authorities in the BJP ruled states have started atrocities towards Dalits. Many Dalits and members of their families are being arrested," Mayawati said.
The BSP chief further attacked the Dalit BJP MPs even as they echoed her concerns.
"I am confident that self-respecting Dalit community will not forgive selfish MPs," the BSP chief said, without naming the party or leaders.
Mayawati's sharp remarks came even as the BJP MPs from Dalit community expressed their displeasure towards the 'treatment of the Scheduled Caste community at the hands of their government'.
On Sunday, BJP MP Udit Raj alleged that members of his Dalit community were being "tortured" in various parts of the country in the wake of the violent protests during the 'Bharat Bandh' earlier this week.
"Reports are pouring in that those Dalits who participated in agitation on April 2 are being tortured and it must be stopped," he said in a tweet.
"Dalits are tortured at large scale after April 2 country-wide agitation. People from Barmer, Jalore, Jaipur, Gwalior, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Karoli and other parts calling that not only anti-reservationists but police also beating & slapping false cases," he said.
All these places, incidentally are parts of states ruled by the BJP.
A worker of a Dalit organisation run by him in Gwalior was being tortured even though he had not done anything wrong, Udit Raj said.
He represents North West Delhi in the Lok Sabha.
Dalit protesters had blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles in violent protests across seven states on April 2 against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, leaving at least 11 people dead and many injured.
(With inputs from PTI)
Watch video: Dalits does not expect justice from government: BSP Chief Mayawati
