Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked RJD president Lalu Prasad over the alleged insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar during the birthday celebration recently. However, he did not mention Prasad by name but referred to the instance of a portrait of Ambedkar being placed close to the feet of the ailing septuagenarian, for which he (Prasad) has been drawing flak from the BJP-led NDA.
“Ambedkar was against dynasty rule. But they (RJD and its allies) do not like it. So they have his portrait placed at their feet. On my way, I saw posters demanding an apology for this insult to Babasaheb,” remarked Modi while addressing a rally in Siwan district of Bihar. He added, “But there has been no apology. This is because they hold Dalits in contempt. In contrast, Modi has Babasaheb in his heart and would like to keep his portrait close to his chest”.
According to the RJD, the row erupted due to the camera angle” at Prasad’s residence while celebrations of his 78th birthday were underway earlier this month. The party has also claimed that Lalu Yadav had his feet on a sofa due to the “medical advice”, and a supporter stood close carrying the portrait of the Dalit icon.
Meanwhile, the state commission for the Scheduled Castes has issued a notice to Prasad and has warned him of legal action if a satisfactory reply is not received within the stipulated time.
The BJP, which takes on the RJD in the Assembly polls due in a few months, has been almost on a warpath, burning effigies of the former CM and submitting a memorandum to Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.
Prasad’s behaviour has also drawn flak from national leaders like Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, besides BJP allies like Chirag Paswan, a Dalit leader who heads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
(With inputs from PTI.)
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