Makes a Powerful Speech in Parliament on Dalit Atrocities that have seen a 19 per cent increase since 2010
In a powerful 26 minute speech in Parliament today, senior and veteran leader of the Janata Dal United (JDU), Sharad Yadav demanded a ban on ‘Gau Rakshaks’ who are taking lives into their own hands attacking innocents, Dalits and Muslims. He also strongly condemned the shameful remarks against BSP leader, Mayavati by BJP leader Dayashankar Singh. Singh has since been removed from influential party posts in Uttar Pradesh.
Sharad Yadav also said that ‘Dalits are being attacked with impunity and Government is using cow activism as a political tool for a Dalit Mukt Bharat’. He condemned the incident of Rohith Vemula where a young and bright intellectual and researcher was forced to commit suicide because of the humiliation suffered made worse by the university administration under Vice Chancellor Appa Rao, suspended and re-instated.
The Indian Parliament should discuss the Taliban like atrocities perpetuated in the name of caste. He strongly condemned the suicide of a youth in Junagadh, a Dalit youth. He demanded a full fledged issue on Caste Atrocities and Caste Order in Parliament, Sharad Yadav demanded.
He strongly condemned the remarks against Mayawati, leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party by a senior BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh and said we need to condemn and examine where this caste prejudice and hatred comes from.
He recalled how in 1974, India’s 5th Lok Sabha when he had first entered Parliament, there had been a ghastly incident near Latur of a young Dalit man’s eyes being gauged out.
In a far reaching statement that gave statistics on continuing Dalit atrocities, Sharad Yadav presented these: Murders on the increase —Dalit murders increased from 570 in 2010, to 673 in 2011, 661 in 2012, 676 in 2013, and 744 in 2014. As far as rapes of Dalit women are concerned 1349 rapes in 2010, to 2011 1557, 2012 1576, 2013 2073, 2014 –you tell us –2014 half of Modi : 2252 sharp increase. Total atrocities against Dlits have seen a 19 per cent increase in atrocities since 2010: there were total 33,712 total Dalit atrocities in 2010; there were 33719 Dalit atrocities in 2011; there were 33655 Dalit atrocities in 2012; there were 39,408 Dalit atrocities in 2013 and a shocking 47,064 of Dalit atrocities in 2014.
One fourth of our population is living facing violence, discrimination and humiliation, he said. Dr Babasaheb’s Ambedkar stands vindicated in his demand for separate electorates, said Sharad Yadav..
Who are these Gau Rakshaks, Ban them, said Sharad Yadav. The Government Must Ban them. Mayawati was right next to Sharad Yadav when he delivered this historic speech. This could signal a unique opportunity of opposition unity.
Watch this Video where he makes a powerful speech, hear the full speech on the spiralling anti-Dalit violence spreading in Gujarat.
The Speech Can be Heard Here