I continue to be an untouchable, says Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday said he continued to be an untouchable for many in the country. “I continue to be a victim of untouchability,” said Modi, while inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Kayal Samaram, organised by Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha, a  leading scheduled community here.

Kayal Samaram was a meet held on a platform of country boats on backwaters here to assert the rights of Pulayar, a backward community. “After taking stock of the political developments in the country, I am saying with confidence and humility that the next 10 years will be that of the Dalits and backward classes in the country,” Modi said.

Referring to the role played by eminent leaders like Ayankali and Ambedker, who fought casteism and untouchability, Modi said “next 10 years is going to be yours” amid loud cheers from the crowd. Asking the people to fight superstition and give maximum education to their children, Modi said these were the two main things required for development.

Ambedker's slogan of "education, unity and struggle" was very valid now, he said, adding, "getting justice is not begging, but is the right of every citizen".

Alleging that Congress had sought to make gains by dividing the society by sowing “poisonous seeds”, he said the Dalits, adivasis and backward classes would have a decisive say, if his party was voted to power. There would be a “change of government” at the Centre within 100 days after which this would be brought to an end, he added.

“For the past 60 years, people have indulged in vote bank politics to divide and rule. This has led to our division and fragmentation. They are experts in zeher ki kheti. The Ranganath Misra commission was set up to sow the seeds of poison,” he said.

The Ranganath Misra commission was constituted by the UPA government on October 29, 2004, to look into various issues related to linguistic and religious minorities.

On a visit to Karnataka last week, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had launched an attack on the opposition BJP — accusing it of indulging in zeher ki kheti (sowing seeds of poison) to attain power.