Congress raises the heat on Modi government over SC/ST Act

As BJP parliamentarians openly raise concerns over attacks on Dalits and the welfare of the SC/ST community, the Congress party on Sunday cashed in on the crisis and took on the Modi government for "failing Dalits".

Citing letters written by five BJP MPs - Udit Raj from Delhi, Savitri Bai Phule from Bahraich, Chhote Lal Kharwar from Robertsganj, Ashok Kumar Dohre from Etawah, Yashwant Singh from Nagina -the Congress said that if there are 'voices of rebel within the house' it means that the situation is 'tense, worrisome and alarming.'

"Concerned, scared and anguished over the rising violence against the Dalit community and 'anti-Dalit' mindset of the Modi government. Now apart from protests of anger visible on the road, even BJP Dalit MPs are raising questions and seeking answers from the PM with respect to the betrayal of his government towards the SC/ST, poor and marginalised sections of society," said Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill.

"Will the 'chai pe charcha' specialist PM have 'charcha' with the representatives of Dalit Community including his own MPs on his government's anti-Dalit policies? Will the PM listen to the 'Mans Ki Baat' of his MPs who are complaining about his governments unfair treatment of Dalits?" Shergill added.

The Congress said that rather than "doing PR stunts of advising his MPs to stay at the houses of Dalits in villages," PM Modi should first call his Dalit MPs and other representatives of the Dalit community to his house and explain the rising Dalit atrocities.

In a bid to woo the Dalits, that has over the past few years distanced from the Congress and move on to support other regional parties, the grand old party is in the process of strengthening its SC and OBC cells, and the recent dilution of the prevention of atrocities act by the Supreme Court has been made a rallying point for it.

After leading a delegation of Opposition leaders to petition President Ram Nath Kovind on the dilution of the act, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is now set to address a massive gathering to discuss Dalit issues on April 23 at Talkatora Stadium.

Stepping up attack, the Congress will also hold a rally at Ramlila Maidan on April 29 protesting against the current political situation and environment of 'distrust and intolerance'.

State units across the country are being mobilized and asked to join in the rally that is set to draw special focus on incidents of Dalit atrocities under the Modi government.