Mayawati disowns Dalit protesters; demands strict action

Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday disassociated herself with the Dalit protesters who have indulged in violence demanding restoring of the SC/ST Act, amended by the Supreme Court.

Addressing the media, the BSP supremo said, "I totally condemn the violence. The violent protesters are misusing the name of Dalits and tribal for their own benefit. I appeal to the government to take stringent action against the culprits."

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh on boil over SC/ST Act agitation

He also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for using Dalits as the scapegoats. "Dalits have been kept away from their lawful rights. BJP has been practicing politics of casteism. But I want to warn them of stop using Dalits as scapegoats."

What else she said?

• BJP government has stopped the promotions of Dalit workers.
• The Centre has taken too much time in submitting the review petition in the Supreme Court.
• The rights of Dalits and Other Backward Classes have been diminished.
• Dalits are moving towards ‘dark age’ under the BJP governments at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read: Dalit Protests: many ‘super cops’ of UP fail on a single day

• BSP will continue to fight for the rights of Dalits.
• We might not be in the parliament but will continue the fight for the Dalits.

Mayawati also strongly opposed the privatisation drive of the central government saying, "The privatisation of government entities is wrong. This drive is being run to end the reservation system."

It is worth mentioning that the entire Uttar Pradesh is on boil following the violent protests led by Dalit organisations demanding restoring of SC/ST Act.

Also Read: Dalit protest spreads across India | Centre files review petition in SC

The intelligence system of the state police seemed to have failed miserably as the protesters had already called for a 'Bharat Bandh' and the UP police had no preparation to deal with the possible situation.