New Delhi: Ramesh Jigajinagi, a Dalit leader and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Parliament, has publicly criticized his party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of perpetuating caste discrimination against lower castes and minorities.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Jigajinagi, who was recently bypassed for a ministerial role, highlighted the predominance of upper castes in central government positions. He expressed his disillusionment with the party’s approach, stating, “I was warned about the BJP’s and Modi’s bias against lower castes, but I didn’t take it seriously.” He went on to label the BJP as anti-Dalit, accusing it of systematically marginalizing Dalit communities.
This vocal criticism aligns with statements from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has also accused the Modi administration of fostering an upper-caste-dominated society to the detriment of Dalits and backward classes. Additionally, the US State Department has noted concerns over human rights issues and the treatment of minorities in India this year.
These remarks from Jigajinagi underscore the existing discontent and tensions within the BJP regarding its policies towards lower castes and minorities.