BJP, RSS want to keep Dalits at 'bottom of society': Rahul

New Delhi [India], Jan 2 (ANI): Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wanted to keep the Dalits at the bottom of the society.

He took to Twitter to mount an attack on the BJP and RSS over the Bhima-Koregaon violence in Pune, Maharashtra, adding the protest over the violence was the symbol of Dalit resistance.

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Rahul tweeted.

Tension gripped many parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday after the death of a youth in clashes on Monday during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune, claiming one life and injuring several people. Several vehicles were also set on fire.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID)-led probe into the death of a youth in the violence.

The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's kin.

The Battle of Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.

The Marathas ultimately withdrew, fearing the arrival of a larger British force led by General Joseph Smith.

The Company troops of Indian origin included predominantly Mahar Dalit soldiers belonging to the Bombay Native Infantry, and therefore the dalit activists regard the battle as a heroic episode in their history. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI