Dalits are used as 'political weapon', says BSP chief Mayawati

New Delhi: BSP chief Mayawati was on Thursday unrelenting on BJP over the attack on her by Uttar Pradesh leader Dayashankar Singh, saying his sacking was not enough and the party itself should have filed an FIR against him.

She alleged in Rajya Sabha that atrocities on Dalits are on the rise in BJP-ruled states in the name of cow protection and the centre should call an all-party meeting to find solution to this issue.

 Referring to the incident of atrocity on Dalits in Gujarat, she said the state government, instead of CID probe, should set up a separate team to conduct the inquiry in fast track mode.

"A report has been published that the BJP member (Dayashankar) has been expelled from the party. It would have been better had the party not only expelled him but also lodged an FIR against him. That would have been admirable," she said while participating in debate on issue of Dalits.

Mayawati was referring to Dayashankar Singh, vice president of BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit, who was sacked by the party for making derogatory remarks against her.

The BSP leader thanked all Parliamentarians as well as women Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for "unanimously condemning" the remarks.

"It is a positive thing that the entire Parliament has condemned it. You have not only condemned vehemently, but boosted my morale and motivated me to fight for the cause of Dalits," she said.

Expressing concern that suggestions emanating from the debates on Dalits are not implemented, the BSP chief said there has been a disturing trend that atrocities on Dalits occur during the period of Parliament session.

"The matter is discussed. Leaders give suggestion. In reality nothing happens, just lip service is done." 

Referring to the recent thrashing of Dalits by a cow protection group in Una in Gujarat, Mayawati said, "it is happening in BJP-ruled states on a large scale. Earlier it was against Muslims and that has stopped. Now, they are targeting Dalits."

She accused BJP-ruled Gujarat government of being a "mute spectator" and trying to "suppress" the issue and urged the Centre to speak to the state government to address the matter at the earliest.

"My demand is please talk to state government to give justice. Although you have sent Chief Minister to visit the place, that is not enough," the BSP leader said.

She demanded that the "negligent" police officers should be brought to book so that such cases are not repeated.

Stating that she does not have faith in CID probe, the BSP chief demanded that the state government should set up "some other kind of enquiry committee having two Scheduled Caste judges under strict monitoring of High Court Judge".

The committee should investigate the matter on a fast track mode and ensure delivery of speedy justice, she added.

"CID investigation is conducted to save culprits and suppress the matter," she said, adding this case should not see the fate of Dalit student Rohit Vemula's suicide case. 

Asserting that Dalits should not be used as "political weapon", Mayawati asked the Centre to show "some sensitivity" to the matter and call an all party meeting to find solution to this issue.

Timely action is required as "manuwadi social system" is still continuing in the country despite adoption of the Constitution, she said.

"It is sad to say in this long period after adoption of the Constitution, we have witnessed various atrocities, be in Congress or BJP-ruled states," she said.

All parties should think above political line as incidents of atrocities on Dalits are on rise, she noted.

She slammed the previous Congress government for not implementing the reservation quota for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and also targeted the current NDA government for delay in passage of a SC/ST job promotion quota bill despite having majority in the Lok Sabha.

"Though the bill has been passed in Rajya Sabha, it is pending in the Lok Sabha. The current BJP government has majority in Lok Sabha, but nothing is happening," she said.