Rahul Gandhi said that the Constitution of India represents the ideology of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel. The current political conflict in the country should be seen as this ideological conflict.
Enumerating examples of discrimination against Dalits, he said that the Constitution has declared untouchability and discrimination illegal, but such incidents are still seen in many parts of the society.
Rahul Gandhi said that in some schools, Dalit children are made to clean toilets and sweep. Such incidents have a serious impact on the mental development of children and the thinking of future generations.
Rahul Gandhi also alleged discrimination regarding the use of water sources in villages. He said that in many places Dalits are not allowed to draw water from public wells and are forced to make separate arrangements.
He also mentioned about different cups allegedly being kept at tea shops. According to him, at some places Dalits are given cups which are thrown away after use, while others are given glass cups.
The Congress leader also raised the issue of alleged violence against Dalits riding on horses during weddings and processions. He said that even today, in many places, Dalit grooms are prevented from sitting on horses and if they protest, they are beaten up. Rahul Gandhi said that this is not a problem of just one area, but such incidents are seen in the cities and villages of North India.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that BJP does not want to see Dalits progressing. He said that the more successful a Dalit person is, the bigger the attack is made against him. However, BJP's response to his political allegations is not available in this news.
During the press conference, Rahul Gandhi also mentioned the cases of alleged 'purification' related to Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. He alleged that after the Congress Legislature Party leader in Rajasthan visited the temple, a 'purification' ritual was performed by BJP leaders. Describing it as a form of untouchability, he said that such activities are against the Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi also mentioned a case at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan related to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He claimed that the 'purification' ritual was carried out even after Kharge gave a speech there. Rahul Gandhi said that Kharge has dedicated his entire life to the country and the Constitution and this kind of treatment towards him is a serious matter.
He said that if the premises are 'purified' after a person visits a temple, it means that the person is being considered impure. Calling it untouchability, Rahul Gandhi said that untouchability has been declared a crime in the Indian Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi claimed that Congress President Kharge had visited the temple on August 8, on August 10 an alleged 'purification' was carried out and on August 13, Kharge called it a crime. He said a BJP leader from Uttarakhand had reportedly justified the 'purification'. Rahul Gandhi demanded action under SC-ST Act in this matter.
He said that about 20 days have passed since the incident and an FIR should be lodged as soon as possible against those who allegedly committed this act. Rahul Gandhi also mentioned the alleged discrimination faced by Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi during his visit to the temple and said such cases cannot be considered a normal incident.
Rahul Gandhi said that discrimination and violence against Dalits is not just a problem of the past. The Constitution may have legally abolished untouchability and discrimination, but its remnants still exist at the social level. The conflict between the Constitution and its ideology continues in the country's politics.