A BJP leader’s criticism against Social Welfare Minister and Kalaburagi in charge Priyank Kharge, for allegedly using unparliamentary and objectionable words against a Dalit civic body officer at a recent review meeting, has not gone down well with a section of Dalit leaders.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the Dalit leaders condemned Subhash Rathod, the BJP leader who was in the forefront to criticise Mr. Kharge, by terming his remarks as politically motivated. They also questioned Mr. Rathod as to why he, who never opened his mouth to condemn any attack on Dalits, had suddenly developed love for Dalits.
“Atrocities on Dalits are on the rise. In Kalaburagi district itself, it is clearly visible that Dalits are at the receiving end of BJP’s hate politics. But Mr. Rathod has never uttered a word to condemn the attacks on Dalits. When his own party leader and Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde openly called for changing the Constitution or when his own ideological friends burnt copies of the Constitution, he did not condemn them. Now, he has come out to attack Mr. Kharge. His moves are clearly politically motivated,” Arjun Bhadre, a Dalit leader, said.
Malleshi Sajjan, another leader, defended Mr. Kharge’s remarks against the officer as ones aimed at lethargic officers.
“Mr. Kharge’s remarks against the officer were not ill-intentioned. He, as a Minister, has to take lacklustre officials to task and compel them to work hard for public good. It is ironic that those who never stand up for Dalits’ cause are now targeting the Minister for what he did. They are politicising the issue for electoral gains,” he said.
