See through BJP’s divisive politics, Maya warns violence-hit villagers

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, May 23

BSP president Mayawati today appealed to people of all communities to see through the “divisive and discriminatory” politics of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government and live in peace and brotherhood.

“You have to live in this village and will continue doing so. Please don’t let the caste tension and violence being spread by vested interests destroy it. Your lives and property would be damaged. Those instigating you will sleep peacefully in their homes,” she said.

Accusing the BJP of misusing the official machinery to attack Dalits in Shabbirpur on March 5, Mayawati said it was the “discriminatory” policy of the Yogi government that caused the violence.

“I have been told that Dalits were not permitted to install a statue of Baba sahib in the Ravi Das temple on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. I am happy that the Dalit community did not violate the administration’s orders. On the other hand, the Kshatriya community took out a procession on the occasion of Maharana Pratap’s Jayanti without permission. The administration did not take action against them. Bureaucrats follow orders from above. But they should have remained fair and not indulged in such blatant discrimination. At the most, they would have been transferred,” she said.

She announced a compensation of Rs50,000 for those whose houses were set ablaze and Rs25,000 for those injured in the May 5 attack.

The village turned into a fortress with heavy police force and even PAC being posted in anticipation of Mayawati’s visit. Before leaving for Shabbirpur village, Mayawati had declared that the BJP government should be held responsible if any untoward incident happened during her visit.