Breaking her silence on the Bhim Sena, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday distanced herself from the fledgling Dalit outfit in Saharanpur after reports by the State intelligence bureau claimed the organisation was patronised and financially supported by her party, in particular her brother and the BSP’s vice president Anand Kumar.
Ms. Mayawati contended that the BSP has “no connection” with any outfit called the Bhim Sena. She went on to allege that the Bhim Sena was a “product” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was providing it “shelter and patronage to destroy the social brotherhood in Uttar Pradesh”.
“The BJP is making political use of the organisation and that is why it has not taken action against its leaders,” she said.
The State government has accused the Bhim Sena of instigating and flaring up Dalit-Thakur clashes in the western UP District. One person was killed and several injured as fresh violence erupted in Chandrapura village of the district on Tuesday, the day Ms. Mayawati toured the area.
Intelligence report
Ms. Mayawati’s clarification on the Bhim Sena came after a State intelligence report on the Saharanpur caste clashes stated that the BSP was providing tacit support to the Bhim Sena.
