‘Plot to deprive dalits of rights’

PATNA: The HAM (S) on Saturday positioned itself as a national dalit outfit different from Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP and also opposed the Centre’s policies.

Referring to the killing of Indian soldiers in skirmishes on Indo-Pak border, HAM (S) president Jitan Ram Manjhi said PM Narendra Modi before coming to power had said he would bring 10 heads of Pakistani soldiers in lieu of the beheading of every Indian soldier. “But he has not fulfilled his promise,” he said, adding his party would support the Centre’s endeavours to fulfil its promises with regard to the national security.

Manjhi was addressing the party’s national executive committee meet at Nalanda Bhavan of International Ambedkar Centre in Delhi. The meet also adopted a resolution articulating its stand on political, national security and other issues.

In a hint that the party would not align with the BJP, the HAM (S) also condemned the attacks on “north Indian” migrant workers in the BJP or NDA-ruled states.

The party announced that it would expand its organisation in other states and launch a membership drive.

Without mincing words, the HAM (S) resolution also said a “conspiracy has been hatched” to deprive dalits and minority groups of their citizenship rights of the country “in the name of national citizenship register”. The party said it would oppose it tooth and nail.

Manjhi, in his address, demanded registration of migrant workers as they were being given “inhuman treatment and also killed” in places of their work. The registration of migrant workers will be a step towards providing them security, he added.

The party decided to constitute its disciplinary and campaign committees in the backdrop of the 2019 parliamentary election.