Congress is the party that oppressed Dalits: LoP

Bengaluru: Opposition Leader R Ashoka stated that the Congress party has been oppressing Dalits for many years.He was speaking at the inauguration of the “BheemHejje 100 Celebration” program near the Dr. BR Ambedkar statue at Vidhana Soudha. “Whenever we talk about Dalits, we say they are the oppressed. But if you ask who oppressed them, the answer is the Congress. For all these years, Congress has been the one oppressing the downtrodden. Even after 75 years of independence, the thieves in Congress did not uplift the Dalits,” he said.

He accused the Congress of misusing Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s name. “After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he turned significant places in Ambedkar’s life into pilgrimage sites called Panchatirtha. Congress leaders claim to be pro-Dalit, but they deceive Dalits,” he alleged.

“The Waqf Board has looted the properties of lakhs of Dalits. When I visited various places to investigate land encroachments by the Waqf, most of the complainants were Dalits. The fact that Congress opposes the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament shows their concern for Dalits. The Constitution must survive, but Congress’s hollow promises must go,” he said.

‘Caste census is not scientific’

Speaking to reporters, Ashoka said, “The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s instructions. Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, say a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone’s benefit. This is exactly what Congress wants.”

Regarding allegations of commissions by contractors, he said, “Congress leaders should hold a meeting and discuss this. They have specified how much looting is happening in which departments. Bills are paid only to those who pay commissions. In the Excise Department, the minister’s son is looting. Despite so many allegations against ministers, CM Siddaramaiah defends them. Congress should declare that corruption is their family circle.

“Siddaramaiah is collecting commissions to avoid resigning. DK Shivakumar is collecting commissions to become CM. Ministers are also collecting commissions to become CM. Ministers’ offices in Vidhana Soudha have become collection centers. On top of that, they have imposed taxes worth 80,000 crore rupees on the people,” he alleged. “The BJP fully supports JDS’s protests. We will discuss with HD Kumaraswamy whether to protest together or separately. No one can sour the bond between us,” he said.