By TwoCircles.net, Staff Reporter,
Nagpur : Disappointed with the increasing incidents of atrocities against Dalits, The Republican Party of India (A), a partner in the BJP-led NDA government, has demanded that Dalits should be given firearms for self-defence.
Addressing media here on Friday, RPI chief and Rajya Sabha member Ramdas Athawale said that in recent days atrocities on Dalits have witnessed an increasing trend and the Haryana incident has left the nation stunned.
“If police and government were unable to stop targeting of Dalits, they should issue licensed firearms to the Dalits for their protection”, Athawale said.
He said attacks on Dalits took place during the UPA government’s rule also and continued under the NDA government rule. “So, there is no option for the Dalits but to defend themselves,” he said.
“The upward figures of atrocities show that the Government is doing nothing worthwhile to curb the crime. In this disturbing situation, it would be better for the Government to arm Dalits with self-protection rights. If Dalits possessed weapons nobody would dare to harm them. I will soon meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in this respect and submit a memorandum”, he told reporters.
He also advised that sensitive districts must be identified and special squads for protection of Dalits should be formed, along with the appointment of a Dalit Superintendent of Police in such districts. He also advocated for creating awareness on harmonious relations between upper caste and Dalits.
Athawale strongly condemned the statement of Union Minister V K Singh on Faridabad incident, where he tried to dislodge government’s liability from the dalits killing in Sunped town of Haryana and provided analogy of stoning dogs.
“That a person like VK Singh who was once the Army Chief, should make such a statement, is indeed regrettable. He should not have hut the sentiments of dalits. I shall speak to union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to arm Dalits,” he said.
Uttam Khobragade, RPI executive president, has also condemned V K Singh’s controversial remarks and demanded that the Union minister be booked under the law meant to prevent atrocities against Dalits.