SC, Modi govt. responsible for violence: Ambedkar

The Central government and the Supreme Court were wholly responsible for the violence during the nationwide shutdown called by Dalit groups, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) president Prakash Ambedkar said on Monday.

The shutdown, backed by political parties, was organised in protest against the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act .

“People have lost their lives during the shutdown which has been extremely turbulent … The apex court did not take the public into consideration before diluting the provisions of the Act. Prime Minister Narendra Modi needs to give an account of this,” Mr. Ambedkar told reporters.

Mr. Ambedkar, who is the grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, said there was a “Syria-like atmosphere” across the country.

“The Modi government is not taking the issue seriously. This move [to allegedly dilute the Act] on part of the Centre is very wrong … a selfish brand of politics is prevalent today, with all leaders looking only after the interests of their particular caste or community,” he said.

The BBM chief said given the government’s attitude, it was little wonder that rightwing Hindutva figures like Sambhaji Bhide ‘Guruji’, accused of orchestrating the Bhima-Koregaon riots, were being protected.

Tensions that prevailed across the country during the bandh were replicated across Maharashtra as well.

Targets Bhagwat

Mr. Ambedkar criticised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat for his recent statements about the Sangh’s alleged inclusiveness, saying, “This organisation [the RSS] has a history of lies. [Mr. Bhagwat] has never condemned the virulent ideology espoused by M.S. Golwalkar in his We, or Our Nationhood Defined.”