Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today raked up an old BSP slogan, which targeted upper castes, to hit back at its chief Mayawati over her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Dalit issue.
The Information and Broadcasting Minister said BJP did not need certificate from a leader who used the slogan ’tilak tarazu aur talwar, inko maro jute chaar’, BSP’s war cry to rally around Dalits which many alleged was an incitement to violence against upper castes.
The ’tilak’ in Mayawati’s slogan was construed as a reference to Brahmins, ‘tarazu’ to Vaishya or Bania community and ‘talwar’ to Kshatriyas or Rajputs.
“People who used such language are giving us sermons. God save India,” he told a press conference.
He was asked about Mayawati’s criticism of Modi following his strong denouncement of cow vigilantes for attacking Dalits. She called him ‘Kumbhkarna’, the mythical character of Ramayana who slept for six months at a stretch, and claimed he broke his silence due to the UP polls.
Naidu said when BJP was in the opposition, it was not allowed to raise state matters but now the opposition parties were claiming it (the assault on Dalits in states) is a national issue.
Sourced from PTI, Featured image courtesy: googleimages
