'Stop drama of eating with Dalits': Mohan Bhagwat tells BJP-leaders
RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat advised BJP leaders to stop doing 'drama' of eating meals at Dalits' homes, and instead invite them to their houses, reported TOI. Bhagwat's statements come in wake of PM Modi's 'Gram Swaraj Abhiyan', wherein he directed BJP leaders to spend two nights in Dalit villages. Bhagwat said eating at Dalit houses wasn't enough for communal harmony.
"Merely visiting their houses is not going to be enough. It has to be a two-way process. We have to welcome members of dalit community into our houses, the way they welcome us," said Mohan Bhagwat. Alok Kumar, joint president of RSS-Delhi, agreed with him.
Reiterating Mohan Bhagwat's sentiments, Alok Kumar said the practice to eat at Dalits' homes reeked of egoistic attitude, as it was based on the idea they were getting blessed by minister's visit. "Society will have to make efforts for their economic progress and prestige. We have to accept Dalits as part of our family," said Kumar.
Adding to the insensitive statements made by BJP leaders, Uttar Pradesh Basic Education minister Anupama Jaiswal said, "We are spending nights at homes of Dalit people where we are stung by mosquitoes, yet we are doing it." Suresh Rana, another BJP minister, reportedly brought his own food and water while visiting a Dalit home, an action he said was untrue.
"We have been seeing their (BJP) drama for long now. Rather than having food at a Dalit person's place, they should ensure that they have nutritious food, they get a quality education and livelihood. But BJP is only interested in drama," said SP leader CP Rai.
