Kanhaiya Kumar's family objects to Mayawati remarks against him

The BSP chief said that he belonged to Bhumihar, an upper caste, and was misguiding Dalits

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) President Kanhaiya Kumar's family on Friday took a strong objection to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati's castiest remarks against him, allegdly calling him anti-Dalit and from upper caste.

Mayawati, while speaking at a function of birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar in Lucknow, said Kanhaiya is not a Dalit, he is anti-Dalit. She allegedly said he belonged to Bhumihar, an upper caste, and was misguiding Dalits.

Mayawati also appealed Dalits not to follow him. Kanhaiya is a puppet of Left parties and he is talking about Ambedkar's idea to fight poverty, she said.

Kanhaiya's parents -- mother Meena Devi and his father Jaishankar Singh -- have criticised Mayawati for attacking him from caste perspective.

"Our son is fighting against injustice, suppression and for the cause of marginaliged. It is wrong to dub him as anti-Dalit. Contrarily, he is very much pro-Dalit," they said.

"We strongly object to Mayawati's castiest remarks against Kanhaiya. It is not necessary to be Dalit to fight for Dalits and against their oppression. Kanhaiya has been fighting for justice and against injustice," Kanhaiya's younger brother Prince Kumar, who stays with his parents in their village in Bihar's Begusarai district, said.

Prince Kumar said Mayawati is a national leader, she should be careful about her words and language.

Kanhaiya's family also expressed concern over reports of increasing threat to his life.