BJP Dalit MP Savitri Bai Phule holds rally against Narendra Modi government

Raising a banner of revolt, a BJP Dalit MP from Behraich in Uttar Pradesh Savitri Bai Phule held a massive rally in state capital Lucknow in protest against anti-Dalit policies of the Modi government.

The BJP Dalit MP dared her own government at the Centre to scrap reservations. “We don’t need to beg reservations, it is our Constitutional right. We will see a river of blood in the country if the Central government tried to scrap reservations,” she challenged the Modi government while speaking a rally ‘Samvidhan Aur Aarakshan Bachao Rally’ at Smriti Upvan in Lucknow on Sunday.

The BJP Dalit MP demanded reservations in private jobs and in promotions. “A few Union ministers and BJP MPs under pressure from the RSS were hatching a conspiracy to amend the Constitution to scrap reservations. Atrocities against Dalits, backward and minorities have increased manifold under the present regime. The SC/ST Commission, Backward, and Minority commission have been made ineffective bodies. We will not allow them to succeed in their conspiracy,” warned she. 

Significantly, before addressing the rally she garlanded statues of Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and BSP founder Kanshi Ram giving an indication to the BJP that she will not hesitate to join hands with the BSP if her demands were not met.

A large number of representatives from Dalit and backward community participated in the day-long rally. The rally should serve a warning signal to the BJP ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls, particularly in Uttar Pradesh where BSP and Samajwadi Party have already joined hands to pose a serious threat to party’s prospects in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

“I am not only BJP MP but a representative of Dalit community also. I am not worried about being sacked from the party for my anti-government stance. I will continue to raise issues of my community,” said she.

Phule demanded to conduct a caste-based census and increase in quota fixed for Dalits and backward. “The union government should conduct a caste-based census and extend reservations to Dalits, backward and also minorities as per their population in the country,” she demanded.

The BJP Dalit MP also took a dig at the Yogi government for changing the name of Babasaheb Dr Bimrao Ambedkar. “Instead of changing the name, Yogi government should check atrocities being committed against Dalits under his regime,” advised she.

She warned the Modi and Yogi government of intensifying her campaign if her demands were not met. “We will hold ‘Samvidhan Aur Aarakshan Bachao’ rallies in different parts of Uttar Pradesh and the country if our demands were not fulfilled,” warned she.