Dalits protest against Ramdev, demand EC ban

Phagwara: Scores of Dalits on Saturday staged demonstrations on National Highway 1 demanding the Election Commission to ban Yoga guru Ramdev from campaigning for BJP over his alleged anti-Dalit remarks.

Ramdev had triggered yet another controversy in Lucknow yesterday claiming that "Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi goes to Dalits house for honeymoon and picnic". The protesters belonging to Bahujan Samaj Party, Guru Ravi Das Force, Balmiki Dharam Samaj and various Ambedkar Senas held demonstrations and raised slogans against the yoga guru. Three effigies of Ramdev were also burnt as demonstrators blocked traffic on the national highway. The protesters have urged the EC to take cognisance of Ramdev`s "highly objectionable" remarks and demanded a ban on his election campaign and roadshows for BJP. They also submitted an application to the local police demanding registration of a criminal case against him under relevant sections of SC/ST Act and section 295-A of the IPC. BSP state General Secretary Jarnail Nangal, Dalit ideologue Advocate S L Virdi, Sena leaders Harbhajan Suman and Surinder Dhanda, Balmiki leaders Satish Salhotra and Pawan Sethi were among the protesters. Congress party workers led by local president Gurjit Walia also joined the protest.