JOIN USFacing heat from within over Dalit issues, the BJP on Sunday launched an attack on Opposition, accusing the Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP of inciting violence for political gains when the government is gaining more traction among the underprivileged.
At a press conference here, senior Union ministers Ravishankar Prasad and Tawarchand Gehlot said the Opposition was perturbed at the growing popularity of the Modi government among all sections of people, including the oppressed.
"The Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP are trying to incite violence and disrupt peace. This is being done for their political gains," Prasad said, adding that B R Ambedkar never encouraged violence during protests by Dalits in their fight.
He said they were indulging in politics because a large number of Dalits, tribals, backward castes, most backward castes and the poor have aligned with the BJP.
Amid discontent even within the party over the Supreme Court order on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and police action against protesters during the Bharat Bandh, Prasad said the Modi government was taking steps to strengthen the law while Congress president Rahul Gandhi was "repeating lies after lies".
Gehlot said the Opposition feels threatened at the increasing popularity of the Modi government and accused them of indulging in casteism, communalism and language chauvinism.
"(BSP founder) Kanshiram never supported violence but (current party chief) Mayawati is going ahead supporting violence." He also said the Congress always used the Dalit community and gave nothing in return.
Earlier in the day, the Congress dubbed the BJP "anti-Dalit" and pointed out that the criticism by the BJP's own Dalits MPs has exposed it.
Referring to letters written by BJP MPs to Modi on Dalit issues, Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill claimed that it proved that the prime minister was working to make India 'Dalit-mukht'.
Shergill said the situation has reached an alarming level due to the rising atrocities on Dalits amid the government's lack of concern and inaction.