Value of Dalit’s life less than an animal’s: BJP MP

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, July 30

Expressing concern over the attack on Dalits in Gujarat, BJP MP Dr Udit Raj, who is National Chairman of the All-India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations (AICSO), said nowadays incidents of attack on Dalits had increased manifold as their lives were valued less important than those of animals, he added.

Addressing the 19th annual national conference of the AICSO, he said increasing attacks on Dalits were not just a law and order problem but social too. Whether it was NDA or UPA in power, attacks on Dalits had always been taking place; the only difference was in quantity.

He said the insensitive attacks were due to a feudal mindset of the upper caste. It was responsibility of society to change the mindset. “If we ourselves are able to change, then crores of Dalits and tribals from all over the country can come together to fight for their rights. When we reach such a situation, then we will be in a position to stop any such attack”, Udit Raj said.

Besides, Udit Raj said the issue of reservation in promotion has been pending for many years. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government brought into force three Constitutional Amendments to save reservation; the same should be expected from the present Narendra Modi government as well. A Constitutional Amendment was introduced and passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2012; the same could not be passed in the Lok Sabha.