BJP pays only lip service to Ambedkar: Congress leader Kumari Selja
By Express News Service | Published: 15th April 2018 01:52 AM |
Last Updated: 15th April 2018 05:38 AM | A+A A- |
Congress leader Kumari Selja. | PTI File Photo
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja on Saturday alleged that the ruling BJP was only paying ‘lip service’ to Dalit icon BR Ambedkar.
“The Congress valued Ambedkar’s talent and made him the chairman of the committee that drafted the Constitution,” Selja said.
“The BJP merely pays lip service to him, but in reality talks about altering the Constitution and questions reservations.”
The Congress’ Dalit face blamed the Centre for almost ending the SC/ST sub-plan, which is now merely 2.5 per cent from 4.6 per cent of the Budget allocation during the UPA rule.
Talking about vacancies for the weaker sections, she said the numbers have come down from over 90,000 during the UPA days to just over 8,000.
“The BJP is not supporting the Dalits either through words or deeds,” Selja said, adding a picture of Ambedkar statue locked in iron cage and guarded by a policeman in Badaun was symbolic of the attempts to curb his thoughts.
She accused the government of dividing society in the name of food, religion, region and caste, adding that the BJP had no right to point a finger at the Congress.
