New Delhi, Aug 22: Facing Opposition flak on the issue of "increasing" atrocities on Dalits, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said in the Lok Sabha that the Centre has "limitations" under the present Constitution to act on these issues as the primary responsibility lay with the states. Replying to a lengthy debate on atrocities on Dalits, he disapproved of some religious leaders propagating untouchability.

On the charge by Lok Janshakti leader Ram Vilas Paswan and some other Opposition members that temples of Guru Ravidas, revered by the Dalits, were being selectively demolished in Delhi and Chandigarh, Advani said the temple in Delhi had not been touched and only unauthorised encroachments around it were demolished. Describing any selective targeting as wrong, he said he had asked for information with regard to Chandigarh.

Recalling that Mahatma Gandhi in 1934, during a visit to a RSS camp in Wardha, had appreciated its stand against untouchability, Advani called for imparting a new momentum to the movement against the social evil. Bureau Report