Advertisement

Updated April 14th, 2020 at 09:56 IST

BSP Chief Mayawati slams Centre & states alleging mistreatment to Dalits amid Covid

On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, BSP Chief Mayawati slammed the Centre and the states alleging that they did not work for the betterment of Dalits, Adivasis

Reported by: Jay Pandya
Mayawati
| Image:self
Advertisement

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Tuesday extended her greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. Speaking to news agency ANI she said, "I pay respects to him on behalf of BSP and crores of his followers. He spent his life ensuring that Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalized communities live with self-respect. BSP was established today in 1984 to fulfil his dreams."

'I am saying with sadness...'

She said that during the lockdown she has observed the plight of Dalits, poor people, marginalized etc adding that "it only proves that there has been no change of mentality/attitude by the Centre and the state governments towards them." The BSP chief said, "I am saying this today with sadness that since the lockdown was imposed by the Centre to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the arrangements made by the State governments to manage the stranded workers was not up to the mark."

She added, "Almost 90% of them were Dalits, Adivasis and from other marginalized communities and the rest 10% of them were poor. The states in which they were stranded did not stop them from going back to their home states which is an example of their mentality towards them nor did they make efforts to provide them with their daily needs. They did not plan anything for their departure as well. They were forced to send them back in buses and trucks. Most of them are still not allowed to visit their homes and are isolated."

READ | Here's what to expect from PM Modi's critical address to the nation at Covid-lockdown end

However, Mayawati said that her party will support if the Central government extends Coronavirus lockdown with some conditions while keeping in view public interests. "But the government must keep in mind the interests of the poor, labourers, farmers and other working-class and provide aid to them during the lockdown," she added.

READ | President Trump bats for re-opening the country in a 'successful manner'

A total number of 10,363 cases of novel Coronavirus have been reported in India. So far, 339 people have succumbed to the infection in the country, while 1,035 patients have been cured. There are 8,988 active cases in the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

READ | WHO terms COVID-19 '10 times deadlier than swine flu', lists lockdown relaxation criteria

READ | US approves sale of missile, torpedoes worth USD155 million to India

(With agency inputs)

Advertisement

Published April 14th, 2020 at 09:56 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Mukhtar Ansari Death
7 minutes ago
US Federal Reserve
15 minutes ago
Team Legend
26 minutes ago
Brij Bhushan and Sanjay Singh
28 minutes ago
Mani Ratnam
29 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024
33 minutes ago
The Surprising Benefits of Video Games Beyond Just Entertainment
34 minutes ago
Alia Bhatt
37 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo