Congress ignored Ambedkar, BJP worked for SCs/STs: Paswan

Attacking the Congress for ignoring the legacy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday said the BJP government had worked to protect the interest of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The Narendra Modi government on Monday filed a review petition against the Supreme Court's order that dilutes stringent provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, he told reporters here.

The Act was enacted during the V.P Singh-led National Front government's tenure and amendments to make it stronger were made during the Bharatiya Janata Party's rule while there was no such efforts taken by the Congress, said Paswan.

"There is anger among people from SC and ST communities. We can understand protests being done by the students. However, political parties should not politicise the issue," he said.

The Lok Janshakti Party chief also said: "Congress never gave respect to Ambedkar. It had pitched its candidates against Ambedkar when he contested Lok Sabha elections. There were portraits of Nehru, Indira Gandhi at the Central Hall of Parliament but that of Ambedkar was missing till 1989."

Paswan also said that the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to adding 'Ramji' as Ambedkar's middle name should not be made into a political issue.

--IANS

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