Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on June 2 slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks in the United States about the condition of Muslim and Dalit communities, saying successive Congress governments are responsible for inflicting atrocities on them, along with the BJP and Samajwadi Party (SP) governments.
“The statement by the former president of Congress during his America tour about the pathetic condition of crores of Dalits and Muslims in India highlights a bitter truth for which Congress, BJP and other parties who governed at the Centre are entirely to be blamed. Whether it is government of the Congress or BJP or SP in any State, injustice, atrocities and exploitation have been common at every level against the poor and deprived among the Bahujan community,” said Ms. Mayawati, adding that only the BSP government in Uttar Pradesh established rule of law and ensured justice to all.
The four-time former U.P. CM added “history is replete with dark chapters of communal riots and casteist incidents orchestrated for political and electoral gains”, due to which these communities are rendered helpless. “Allegations and counter-allegations are made, but people of these classes are constantly exploited,” she said.
Mr. Gandhi who is touring the U.S. had said, “What is happening to Muslims in India today, happened to Dalits in the 1980s, and it has to be fought with affection,” while adding that the impact of some actions of the government was being felt by minorities and people from the Dalit and tribal communities.