Insult to Dalits: Row over video showing Lalu Yadav's feet near Ambedkar photo
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has landed in the eye of a political storm after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted a video purportedly showing a portrait of Dr B R Ambedkar placed at his feet during his 78th birthday celebrations. In the latest developments, the State Scheduled Caste Commission on Sunday issued a notice to Lalu Yadav, seeking a written explanation within 15 days. The notice, issued by Commission Vice-Chairman Devendra Kumar, states that failure to respond within the stipulated time frame could invite legal action.
advertisementPOLITICAL REACTIONSThe incident has triggered widespread outrage across the political spectrum and among Dalit rights activists. BJP has accused the RJD of consistently disrespecting Ambedkar and Dalit sentiments. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla claimed the incident exposed RJD's 'non-constitutional ideology.'
"The insult to Scheduled Castes and Dalits represents the real identity of the RJD and its allies, Congress and the INDI Alliance. The way BR Ambedkar's picture was placed under the feet of Lalu Prasad Yadav and the indecency shown with the image of Ambedkar, this is the original character of RJD,' Poonawalla said in an interview with news agency ANI. He further alleged that for the RJD, 'family and power' matter more than the Constitution or social justice.Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Samrat Choudhary echoed similar sentiments and condemned the act as an 'unpardonable insult' and called it a 'dark chapter in Bihar's political history.' He demanded a public apology from Lalu Yadav.advertisementFormer Bihar Chief Minister and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi too slammed the RJD chief, stating, 'Placing Dr Ambedkar's portrait at one's feet is not just an insult to our icon, but to all Dalits. Even Lalu's own community will not tolerate this.'The JD(U), RJD's former ally, also denounced the incident. Party general secretary Shyam Rajak, a former RJD leader himself, called the act "petty and unforgivable.' Speaking at a press conference, he said, 'The people of Bihar will not forgive this display of arrogance and disrespect toward Babasaheb.'Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the act a 'grave insult to the Constitution' and said it exposed a 'feudal mindset.' LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary accused the RJD of 'continuously misleading and disrespecting Dalit and Mahadalit communities.'Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor also waded into the controversy, targeting the Congress for its silence. At a press conference in Muzaffarpur, he challenged Rahul Gandhi to condemn Lalu Yadav. 'The Congress has become a sidekick of RJD in Bihar. If Rahul Gandhi wants to prove otherwise, let him issue one statement criticizing Lalu Prasad,' Kishor said.TEJASHWI YADAV DEFENDS FATHERMeanwhile, RJD leader and former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav came to his father's defense, accusing the BJP of spreading lies and politicising the issue.advertisement"These (BJP) people have nothing to do with Baba Saheb, the Constitution, and Reservation. Lalu Yadav has installed many statues of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in Bihar. We are the people who believe in Ambedkar's ideology. The BJP only spread lies," Tejashwi said. He added that his father, despite being 78 and ailing, continues to work tirelessly and meet people. 'He works 10 hours a day. Yet they target him with such baseless allegations.'Must Watch
IN THIS STORY#Bihar
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