New Delhi, December 31: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday criticized the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in states, accusing them of fostering a mindset that oppresses marginalized communities and perpetuates the ideology of ‘Manuvaad.’
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) written in Hindi, Kharge alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah insulted Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament, a behavior he claimed mirrors the BJP’s disregard for the underprivileged across the country.
Kharge highlighted recent incidents of atrocities against Dalits and tribals to substantiate his allegations.
Key Incidents Highlighted by Kharge:
- Madhya Pradesh: A Dalit youth, Mukesh Longre, was allegedly murdered in police custody in Dewas after being called for questioning.
- Odisha: In Balasore, tribal women were tied to trees and beaten over alleged attempts to convert families to another religion.
- Haryana: In Bhiwani, a Dalit girl committed suicide after being unable to pay her BA examination fees.
- Maharashtra: A tribal pregnant woman died after traveling 100 kilometers in search of an ICU.
- Uttar Pradesh: In Muzaffarnagar, three Dalit families were forced to migrate due to caste-based attacks, with no action taken by the police.
Kharge accused the Modi government of allowing atrocities against Dalits, tribals, backward communities, and minorities to flourish under what he termed an “anti-constitutional rule.”
Grim Statistics on Crimes Against Marginalized Communities
Kharge pointed out that a crime is committed every hour against Dalit and tribal women and children. He cited National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data showing that such crimes have doubled since 2014.
Commitment to Constitutional Rights
“The Congress Party will not allow the constitutional rights of 140 crore Indians to be violated,” Kharge said, vowing to fight against what he described as the BJP-RSS’s “anti-constitutional thinking.”
Related Incidents:
- Maharashtra: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale raised concerns over the death of Dalit man Somnath Suryavanshi, who was allegedly assaulted in police custody in Parbhani.
- Odisha: Three individuals were arrested for assaulting two women accused of attempting religious conversions in Balasore.
Kharge’s remarks come amidst growing concerns about the treatment of marginalized communities under BJP-led administrations, sparking debates on governance and social justice across the political spectrum.