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Opposition corners Centre over atrocities on Dalits

Treasury benches ask why blame is put only on BJP
Last Updated 11 August 2016, 19:59 IST

The Opposition on Thursday cornered the Centre over the increased attacks on Dalits and cited the flogging of youths in Gujarat to highlight the “atmosphere of intolerance” in the country.

The treasury benches countered, asking why blame only the BJP-ruled states when similar ghastly incidents were also happening in opposition-ruled states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.

Some opposition members, such as CPM MP from Kerala P K Biju, also sought a ban
on cow protection groups and wondered why incidents of physical assault against Dalits were not stopping despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong condemnation and call to shoot him and not to attack people from the marginalised sections of the society.

Biju also gave figures to paint a grim picture of poverty in the country. He said three Dalit women were raped every day and a crime against Dalits occurs every 18 minutes.

Congress leader K H Muniyappa said it has been a series of “black days for SCs and STs in the country”. Since the Modi government came to power, atrocities increased and reached “a level never seen in history”, he alleged.

He said the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime was better since “such incidents never happened”. He also recalled Union minister V K Singh’s dog analogy in a case involving women.

Attacking the Gujarat government, Muniyappa said over 14,500 cases similar to the Una incident have occurred in the state after Modi had taken over as the chief minister. The conviction rate was only 3-5%, he pointed out, to elaborate that it was not a priority for the state.

TMC’s Sugata Roy questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement condemning hate crimes against Dalits came so late.

Charging that fringe Hindutva elements have created an “atmosphere of intolerance”, Roy also wondered why Modi was not talking about Muslims, who were also victims of cow vigilantism, in his condemnation of Dalit attacks.  

BSP chief Mayawati demanded the prime minister to speak on the issue of Dalits in Parliament.

Modi, who had spoken twice on the issue over the weekend, did not intervene in the debate that went late in evening.

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(Published 11 August 2016, 19:59 IST)

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