BJP leaders attend roundtable with Dalit thinkers

More than 50 social thinkers, bureaucrats, activists and academics of the Dalit community today attended a day-long deliberation organised by the Centre for Dalit Studies, India Foundation, a statement said.

BJP general secretary Ram Madhav, also a member of the board of governors of the think-tank, ICCR president and BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, RSS joint general secretary V Bhagaiah, Union minister Arjun Meghwal, BJP MPs Udit Raj and Vinod Sonkar and former Union minister Sanjay Paswan were among those who took part in the roundtable with Dalit thinkers.

"The day witnessed a robust exchange of ideas between Dalit thinkers and leadership of government and the party," the statement said.

It said Dalit entrepreneurs put forth their views on developing business as an alternative mode of empowerment, while academics spoke about ensuring diversity and adequate representation of Dalits in both bar and bench of judiciary.

Some bureaucrats spoke about discriminatory practices within bureaucracy which is "deep seated" and needs to be removed.

Example of schemes like post-matric scholarship and Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship were cited and how these schemes can be updated with contemporary social needs, it said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh met them over lunch at his residence and said he has taken note of suggestions that have come out of the meeting and will share them with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the statement said.