KNews Desk– Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi He raised the issue of Dalits prominently in a press conference at Indira Bhawan in Delhi on Saturday. He alleged that even today people of Dalit community are facing discrimination and insult in the country. Rahul Gandhi Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge He also mentioned the 'purification' controversy related to Uttarakhand tour and linked it to untouchability and demanded action from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rahul Gandhi said that Congress President Kharge has dedicated his entire life to the country and the Constitution. According to him, a case of alleged 'purification' ritual came to light after the Kharge program at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani. Rahul raised the question as to what mentality such a ritual reflects.
'Purification is another name for untouchability'
Rahul Gandhi said that untouchability is considered a crime under the Indian Constitution. He alleged that such rituals of 'purification' promote the notion that Dalits are impure. He said if a place is 'purified' after a person's event or presence, it is a sign of social discrimination.
He said that in the country conflict between two ideologies It is going on. On one side there is the Constitution and on the other side there is the ideology of BJP-RSS. Rahul said that this basic ideological conflict is visible in current politics.
Questions raised regarding Dalit children also
Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue of alleged discrimination against Dalit children. He claimed that in many places Dalit children are made to sweep schools and clean bathrooms. He questioned what effect such incidents would have on the minds and social thinking of children.
He said that Dalits have been given protection and equal rights in the Constitution, but despite this, complaints of discrimination keep coming forward.
Demand for FIR from PM under SC-ST Act
Rahul Gandhi demanded action against those who allegedly performed the 'purification' ritual. FIR under SC-ST Act To be recorded. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked about the welfare of people of all castes, hence he should direct action in this matter.
From water from well to cup of tea
Giving examples of discrimination against the Dalit community, Rahul Gandhi said that in some parts of the country, Dalits were stopped from taking water from wells. He also claimed that different cups were allegedly used at tea shops. According to him, at some places paper or plastic cups are kept for Dalits and separate glasses are kept for others.
Referring to the procession of Dalits, he also claimed that in many places, Dalit grooms riding on horses are forced to wear helmets for safety. Rahul Gandhi said that this situation shows that despite constitutional rights, the challenge of social discrimination has not yet completely ended.