PM Modi slams RJD-Congress for 'insulting' Ambedkar; warns against 'jungle raj'
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
, speaking at a rally in Bihar's Siwan on Friday criticised the Rashtriya Janata Dal (
RJD
) and
Congress
over the recent controversy involving an alleged insult to
B.R. Ambedkar
's picture by Lalu Prasad. Modi asserted that both parties have consistently disrespected Ambedkar, citing his opposition to dynastic politics and his advocacy for the downtrodden. He further underlined that the two allies are trying to bring back the '
jungle raj
' that preceded
Nitish Kumar
's chief ministership.
The PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects worth ₹5,200 crore in Siwan. Ahead of the Assembly polls due in October-November in Bihar, Modi stated that the double-engine government under JDU Chief Nitish Kumar has brought all-round development to the state. He emphasised that during his just-concluded visit to Canada for the G7 summit, leaders of developed nations expressed admiration for India's progress towards becoming the third-largest economy.
Slamming RJD and Congress on the Ambedkar controversy, Modi said, "The spirit of our Constitution is that everybody in the country should get the opportunity to progress and there is no discrimination against anybody. We also say with the same feeling -'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' (Collective efforts, inclusive growth). But the 'Laltain' (lantern) and 'Panja' (hand) walas say - 'Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas' (Family's efforts, family's growth). This is the gist of their politics -for ensuring gains to their families, they do not hesitate to harm the interests of crores of families in Bihar and the country." (Laltain is the party symbol of RJD while Panja is the election symbol of the Congress.)
He stated that Ambedkar himself was strongly opposed to this kind of politics, and hence RJD and Congress have insulted him at every step.
"The whole country has seen how RJD leaders have treated a photo of Baba Saheb. I saw posters have come up in Bihar demanding that they apologise for this insult to Baba Saheb, but I know they will never apologise, as in their hearts they have no respect for Dalits, Mahadalits, backward, and most backward communities," he said.
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Prasad, who is ailing and mostly rests his legs on a couch while sitting, was embroiled in a controversy when a party supporter placed a photo of Baba Saheb close to his feet.
BJP
and JDU have been demanding an apology from RJD for this perceived insult to the Dalit leader.
Accompanied by Nitish Kumar and other BJP-JDU leaders on the dais, the Prime Minister launched a scathing attack on the RJD, recalling the 15-year rule under Lalu Prasad and his wife Rabri Devi.
He cautioned that RJD and Congress are seeking another opportunity to bring "jungle raj" to the state and appealed to the people of Bihar to protect their future by keeping "miles away from such forces which seek to put brakes on development." He termed the policies of RJD and Congress as "anti-Bihar and anti-investment."
Later, at another rally in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to mark one year of the BJP government in the state, the PM underlined that the dispensation is working tirelessly day and night for the welfare of all sections, especially tribals and backward communities.
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