Yogi Adityanath given Dalit Mitra award by Ambedkar Mahasabha, members fume

LUCKNOW: A massive row sparked within Ambedkar Mahasabha, two days after the organisation's chief announced the ‘Dalit Mitra’ award for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.  

Ambedkar Mahasabha President Lalji Prasad ‘Nirmal’ had announced that the award will be conferred to Adityanath d on Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.

This has not gone down well with members of the association, who claim that the award should have gone to a deserving member of the community and not Adityanath who has been accused of 'pursuing anti-Dalit policies'.

The organisation's President reportedly announced the award without discussing it with the executive committee or with other members of the Mahasabha or calling the Annual General Body (AGM).

Demanding resignation of the Lalji Prasad, the agitating members held an emergency meeting of the AGM.

Two of the committee's founding member – retired IPS officer SR Darapuri and retired IAS officer Harish Chandra – sought disciplinary action against Prasad.

“Atrocities against Dalits have increased manifold under the present regime -- be it Bhim Sena in Saharanpur or innocent Dalit youth during Bharat Bandh on April 2. How could one justify giving an award to a person who ordered for slapping NSA against Chandrasekhar and scores of Dalit youth after Bharat Bandh?” questioned Darapuri, as reported by DNA.

“Mahasabha had never instituted any such award. Who has constituted this award without discussing it in the AGM or with founding members?” questioned Chandra.

Several states in the country, including Uttar Pradesh, witnessed violence during Bharat bandh called by Dalit outfits. At least 10 people were killed and over 65, including policemen, injured in the country-wide protests. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to stay its recent order on the SC/ST Act.