'Will BJP-RSS Embrace Dalits?': Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Accuses Them Of 'Promoting Untouchability'

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot accused the BJP-RSS of "promoting untouchability" in the society and asked if they will 'embrace" the Dalits of this country.

Rajasthan CM and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot talking to the media

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Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the BJP and its ideological parent RSS are promoting untouchability in the society and asked them whether they would 'embrace' the Dalits of India or not. Talking to the media on the sidelines of a mass marriage function of 2,222 couples including 2,111 from the Hindu community and 111 from the Muslim in Baran district, he said that BJP and RSS are creating and spreading differences. He also alleged that both outfits are increasing discrimination while promoting untouchability among the people, reported news agency PTI.

While talking to the reporters on Friday, CM Gehlot said, "They (BJP-RSS) talk about Hindu religion and all of them are Hindus but they should rise above religion and do some real work. Untouchability is still there in villages as well as urban areas. There is discrimination against lower classes and everybody knows it."

Gehlot urged RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reveal their short-term as well as long-term plans for the welfare of the Dalits. He further added, "Who is taking care of Dalits? What are you (BJP-RSS) doing for them? Will you embrace Dalits?... They should answer these questions since they are in power at the Centre."

BJP Hit Out At Gehlot Government Over Dalit Women's Safety

These remarks come after Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat last month slammed the Ashok Gehlot-led Rajasthan government after a Dalit woman was allegedly raped and set on fire in the state's Barmer district. He claimed that women are not safe in the state. While talking to ANI, he remarked, "This is not a new incident in Rajasthan. A Dalit woman was raped in the daylight by a Muslim man who later tries to burn the woman alive. The woman was immediately admitted to a hospital where there is no burn unit. She was referred to Jodhpur after 24 hrs and she died there due to lack of treatment. Women are not safe in the Ashok Gehlot's government."

A Dalit woman was allegedly raped and set on fire in Rajasthan's Barmer district in April. The victim, who suffered 40 per cent burn injuries underwent treatment at a government hospital in Jodhpur, they said, as reported by PTI.

According to PTI, the accused, identified as Shakoor, allegedly raped the woman and then poured some chemical on her before setting her on fire. Shakoor, who lives near the victim's house, was arrested. The police further informed that a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.