Dalit protests: BJP hits back at Rahul Gandhi over 'DNA' remark, accuses him of 'dividing Indians'

Violence erupted in many parts of the country on Monday as Dalit groups protested against the SC order on SC/ST Act.

Pic courtesy: Twitter/@INCIndia

New Delhi: The BJP on Monday hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against the RSS and the saffron party over the issue of Dalits.

Slamming the BJP and RSS for the plight of Dalits, Rahul said that he saluted "brothers and sisters" from the community who have hit the streets to demand protection of their rights from the Modi government. "It is in the DNA of the RSS/BJP to keep Dalits at the lowest level in Indian society. Anyone who challenges this thought is crushed with violence. Our Dalit brothers and sisters are today on the streets demanding protection of their rights from the Modi government. We salute them." Rahul tweeted.

दलितों को भारतीय समाज के सबसे निचले पायदान पर रखना RSS/BJP के DNA में है। जो इस सोच को चुनौती देता है उसे वे हिंसा से दबाते हैं।

हजारों दलित भाई-बहन आज सड़कों पर उतरकर मोदी सरकार से अपने अधिकारों की रक्षा की माँग कर रहे हैं।

हम उनको सलाम करते हैं।#BharatBandh — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 2, 2018

Lashing at the Congress chief, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resource Arjun Ram Meghwal tweeted, "The Opposition's nervousness is due to the never before seen nation-wide supports of backward castes to Modi government. The number of SC and ST MPs from the BJP at the highest. No party has given so many opportunities to the SC and ST communities as the BJP has."

He added, "Speaking of DNA, it is imperative to remind the nation what Rahul Gandhi's DNA is about - humiliated Babasaheb repeatedly. Ensured the defeat of Babasaheb, not once but twice. Did not give a Bharat Ratna to Babasaheb. Did not even give space for Babasaheb's portrait in Parliament." 

"Deeply condemnable and shocking comment by Congress president, racking up the DNA of among many other, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. it is well known that PM Modi belongs to the lower section of society and this is something Rahul Gandhi cannot digest," Gehlot further said.

Deeply condemnable and shocking comment by Congress President Rahul Gandhi, racking up the DNA of among many other, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. it is well known that PM Modi belong to the lower section of society and this is something Rahul Gandhi cannot digest. — Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) April 2, 2018

Speaking of DNA, it is imperative to remind the nation what Rahul Gandhi's DNA is about-
Humiliated Babasaheb repeatedly. Ensured the defeat of Babasaheb, not once but twice.
Did not give a Bharat Ratna to Babasaheb.
Did not even give space for Babasaheb's portrait in Parliament. — Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) April 2, 2018

The opposition's nervousness is due to the never before seen nation-wide supports of backward castes to Modi government. The number of SC and ST MPs from the BJP at the highest. No party has given so many opportunities to the SC and ST communities as the @BJP4India has. — Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) April 2, 2018

Another BJP leader and MP from Rajasthan Bhupender Yadav hit back at Rahul saying, "At the core of our philosophy is the empowerment of the downtrodden. PM Narendra Modi ji has stated clearly that new India belongs to the poor, marginalised and backward communities. All our efforts are aimed at transforming their lives."

"They have been trying to divide the country for years now. Be it Rohit Vemula or any other issue, Rahul Gandhi has always tried to divide Indians. But Dalits have very well recognised this game. Since 2014, Dalits of our country have clearly rejected them in state after state," he added.

At the core of our philosophy is the empowerment of the downtrodden. Hon'ble PM Sh @narendramodi ji has stated clearly that new India belongs to the poor, marginalized & backward communities. All our efforts are aimed at transforming their lives. — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 2, 2018

As soon as some friction happens, our political vultures immediately come out to extract political advantage. We expected nothing better from Sh Rahul Gandhi. All that he & his party has done & can do, is to exploit the Dalits for petty political gains. — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 2, 2018

They have been trying to divide the country for years now. Be it Rohit Vemula or any other issue, Sh Rahul Gandhi has always tried to divide Indians. But Dalits have very well recognised this game. Since 2014, Dalits of our country have clearly rejected them in state after state. — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 2, 2018

BJP’s commitment to SC/ST welfare is unwavering & time tested. In 2001, Vajpayee Government specially amended Article 16 (4A) to ensure proper benefits to SC/ST employees. Infact, it was the Third Front -Congress govt of 1997 that took away promotional benefits of SC/ST employees — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) April 2, 2018

Violence erupted in many parts of the country on Monday as Dalit protesters blocked trains, clashed with police and set fire to vehicles during a nationwide bandh against the Supreme Court order on SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The apex court on March 20, 2018, had diluted the provisions of the Act and had said that government servants should not be arrested without prior sanction and private citizens, too, should be arrested only after an inquiry under the law.

Transport, mobile and internet services were hit in many states with over 100 trains getting affected due to protests, even as the Centre moved the SC seeking review of its judgement, maintaining that the verdict will violate constitutional rights of these communities.

While some states had ordered the closure of educational institutions as a precautionary measure, incidents of arson, firing and vandalism were reported from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab, among other places.

(With PTI inputs)