Opposition slams BJP over growing attacks

The Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday attacked the BJP over growing atrocities on Dalits, saying a “Taliban-like attitude” was prevailing in some parts of the country.

They urged the Centre to act  before the situation goes out of control. Participating in a discussion on recent incidents of attacks on Dalits in various parts of the country, the members also said the situation in Gujarat was “explosive” as Dalits were attempting to commit suicide.

The debate came amid large-scale protests after the recent case in Una in Gujarat, where four Dalit youths were brutally beaten up in public by some cow vigilantes.

However, Minister for Social Justice Thawar Chand Gehlot and his junior minister Ramdas Athawale disputed the Opposition charges and pleaded with leaders not to politicise the issues. Both the ministers, who are also senior Dalit leaders, also said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has taken several steps for the welfare of SC/STs in the country.

Initiating the discussion, senior JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav sought a ban on ‘Gau Rakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) operating in some parts of the country.He said there was a “Taliban-like attitude” and it was a matter of shame that even after 70 years of independence, atrocities against Dalits, especially women, were increasing.

“Who created these ‘Gau Rakshaks’? Why doesn’t the government ban them? What is this tamasha? .... We talk about Taliban ... our caste system has a Taliban-like attitude, we need to discuss that,” Yadav said.