Dalit issue: PM asks politicians to shun irresponsible statements

New Delhi: Condemning violence against dalits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday asked politicians, including his own partymen, to shun irresponsible statements as said the community’s “self-appointed champions” were giving political colour to the social problem to create tensions.
He said he was committed to the welfare of dalits and other oppressed sections of the society but some people cannot digest that “Modi is pro-dalit”.
He condemned the incidents of violence against dalits, saying it does not suit any civilised society. “I want to tell politicians, including the leaders of my own party, that there should be no irresponsible statements against any person or community.
The country’s unity, social unity and equality should not be affected. We should be extra cautious,” Modi told CNN-News 18 in an interview. Noting that there are many dalits who are BJP MPs and MLAs in the country, he said, “Ever since I celebrated 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar…many people felt that Modi is Ambedkar’s follower. They started having problems.
“Those who consider themselves as “thekedar” (self- appointed champions) of some special section and want to create tension in the society, they could not digest this that Modi is pro-dalit…” Insisting that “I am committed to the welfare of dalits, victims, oppressed, deprived, tribals and women”, Modi said. (PTI)