2017 Assembly polls: Congres invokes Rohith Vemula after touring Dalit villages

The Congress is making eight promises to Dalits before polls, including free education from KG to PG and assuring security by appointment of “Suraksha mitras” in every police station.

Other promises include Rs 1,000 scholarship to every student after Class X for hostel accommodation, residential schools on the pattern of Jawahar Navyodya Schools in every block, setting up ‘Ambedkar Arogyashri’ under which Dalits and family members would get treatment worth up to Rs 2 lakh in government and private hospitals, houses for labourers, Rs 3 lakh loan without guarantee for youths and appointment of ‘vikas mitra’ to help Dalits get benefits of schemes.

At the concluding ceremony of this campaign, party state president Raj Babbar said: “Rohith Vemula ne apne prano ki ahuti di thi. Usko adhikaar nahi mila. Jo suraksha milni chahiye thi nahi mili. (Rohit Vemula sacrificed his life. He did not get the right and the security he should have received).”

He, like other leaders, concluded his speech with “Jai Bheem”. Asking party workers to share the message in their respective regions, Babbar said they should inform the public that instead of getting him justice, the Centre formed the committee to find out if he was Dalit or not.

Asking Dalits to be cautious and not become a instrument in the hands of others, and promising Congress would work on policies and ideology shown by Ambedkar, Babbar told the gathering that their majority voting helps other people win elections.

“Pandey ji chunao jeet jati hain… Yadav ji chunao jeet jate hain… Dusare ke liye muhara na bane…(Pandey ji wins polls… Yadav ji wins polls…don’t become a pawn for others),” said Babbar.

He also asked the gathering to be cautious of such forces who made fun of Congress when Rahul Gandhi tried to raise the problems of “kalawati”, but are now themselves trying to make inroads with Dalits.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP P L Punia asked party leaders and workers to communicate at the grassroot level that leaders like Mayawati can join hands with BJP, which according to him failed to protect Dalits. Former Union minister J D Seelam cited the example of Karnataka, saying the government has ensured upto Rs 10 crore loan at just 4 per cent interest, and that the Congress is with Dalits.

K Raju, head of AICC SC department, also addressed the gathering and assured of more leadership roles for Dalits within the party.