A day after violent 'Bharat Bandh,' BJP president Amit Shah stated that a “microscopic minority of dejected and rejected political parties” made the people suffer and sought their apology to “Dalit sisters and brothers.”
Shah also blamed ‘vested interest groups’ for spreading panic on the issue of reservation for Dalits, and asserted that it is done before every election and said that the government will do everything to protect their rights.
He further pointed out that PM Modi had met lawmakers belonging to the Scheduled Castes and had assured them that the government was doing everything to protect the rights and well being of the Dalits.
He stated that through the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015, the NDA government had actually strengthened the provisions of the Act and this was in line with the BJP's commitment to the welfare of the SC & ST communities.
Shah added, “Due to the politically driven manifestations of a microscopic minority of dejected and rejected political parties, crores of innocent people suffered. These parties owe our Dalit sisters and brothers an apology for their misdeeds.”
“The BJP's stand is clear, which I am once again stating – we fully believe in the Constitution given by Babasaheb and the rights it has given to the SC/ST communities. At every juncture and in all possible ways, the BJP stands shoulder to shoulder with the Dalit community.”
