The Ambedkar Mahasabha is sharply divided over the decision of its President to confer the award to the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Ambedkar Mahasabha is sharply divided over the decision of its President to confer ‘Dalit Mitra’ award to the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is often accused of 'pursuing anti-Dalit policies'.
A revolt-like situation prevails in the Ambedkar Mahasabha, two days after its President Lalji Prasad ‘Nirmal’ announced to felicitate Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with ‘Dalit Mitra’ award on Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.
Agitated founding members of the Mahasabha have demanded the resignation of its President and called for an emergency meeting or the Annual General Body (AGM) for discussing the contentious issue of the award to Yogi Adityanath.
The decision to give ‘Dalit Mitra’ award has kicked up a major row in the Ambedkar Mahasabha. Two of its founding members S.R. Darapuri, a retired IPS officer and a retired IAS officer Harish Chandra have sought disciplinary action against Lalji Prasad ‘Nirmal’ for announcing the award to Yogi Adityanath without discussing the issue in executive committee or with other members of the Mahasabha or calling the AGM.
Talking to DNA, Darapuri said that the present government, led by Yogi Adityanath, is accused of several cases of atrocities against Dalits. “Atrocities against Dalits have increased manifold under the present regime -- be it Bhim Sena in Saharanpur or innocent Dalit youth during Bharat Bandh on April 2. How could one justify giving an award to a person who ordered for slapping NSA against Chandrasekhar and scores of Dalit youth after Bharat Bandh?” questioned Darapuri.
Harish Chandra, a retired IAS officer and another founding member of Ambedkar Mahasabha even went to the extent of questioning the validity of the award. “Mahasabha had never instituted any such award. Who has constituted this award without discussing it in the AGM or with founding members?” fumed Chandra.
The retired IPS officer Darapuri claimed that ‘Dalit Mitra’ award was instituted by Lalji Prasad Nirmal on his own without getting it ratified by the executive committee or the AGM. “It was an arbitrary decision. Announcing to confer the award to Yogi Adityanath is an insult to Dalit pride and speaks volumes about the intent of Lalji Prasad who has sought many favours from the Chief Minister for his family,” charged Darapuri.
He said that the role of Ambedkar Mahasabha is limited to propagating the ideology of Dr Ambedkar among community members and not to give awards to a person involved in quelling the rise of Dalits and committing atrocities against them.
Darapuri pointed that a Dalit youth was killed by police bullets during Bharat Bandh in UP but neither the Chief Minister nor any of his ministers condoled the death or announced any compensation to the family of the victim.
“Compensation of Rs 20 lakh was quickly announced to Chandan Gupta who was killed in Kasganj violence but not a penny to Dalit youth murdered by the police. How can Mahasabha give the award to a person whose hands are soaked in the blood of Dalits? rued Darapuri.
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 "Yogi Adityanath")
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