Patna: Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), headed by former Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras, condemned Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday for his alleged remark on Babasaheb Ambedkar, asking him to tender an apology to the nation.
The development indicates that the RLJP, which is now a part of the NDA, is looking for “options” ahead of next year’s assembly elections in Bihar.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the RLJP said Ambedkar is no less than a deity for every citizen of the country, but Shah’s remark indicates he is filled with “arrogance”. “Amit Shah made comments on Ambedkar out of sheer arrogance, and neither the RLJP nor the Dalit Sena will tolerate him any more for his remarks,” RLJP’s national spokesperson Sharwan Kumar Agarwal said in a statement on Wednesday.
Paras, who was a minister in Narendra Modi’s cabinet in his second term, also happens to be the national president of the Dalit Sena.
RJD chief Lalu Prasad also criticised Shah for his alleged remarks on Ambedkar. “The language of the BJP leaders reflects their hatred towards Ambedkar,” Lalu said in a press statement on Wednesday. He alleged social inequality, discrimination, untouchability, and hatred towards the Constitution and Dalits are ingrained in the blood of the BJP people. His son and former Dy CM, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, also echoed similar views.
In contrast, LJP (RV) president and Union minister Chirag Paswan blamed the Congress for not showing respect to Baba Saheb. “The Congress, which is now expressing concern about Baba Saheb’s respect, is the same party that didn’t consider it necessary to give respect to him while he was alive. Instead, the Congress worked to ensure his defeat,” Chirag told the reporters.