Patna, June 16 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan strongly criticised RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for "insulting" Bhim Rao Ambedkar, pioneer of the Indian Constitution.
The reference was to a video related to Lalu Yadav's birthday that went viral on social media showing an RJD worker presenting Yadav a picture of Ambedkar. The video shows the picture of Ambedkar kept near Lalu Yadav's feet, and the RJD chief does not even touch Baba Saheb's picture.
Soon after his arrival in Patna, Chouhan condemned the incident, asserting that “Neither Bihar nor the nation will forgive Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD for this disrespect towards Babasaheb.”
The BJP leader said that Yadav's claims to be a well wisher of backward masses was nothing but an eye wash as the incident has exposed the mentality of Yadav and his party RJD.
Meanwhile, in a release issued by the BJP here on Monday, its top leaders also strongly voiced their resentment over the incident.
"Any insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar will not be tolerated, and the party will continue to hold those responsible accountable at every level," the BJP stated.
In the release, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who hails from the Dalit community, has launched a scathing attack on Yadav and the RJD, demanding an immediate public apology.
"On one hand, Yadav claims to be a leader of Dalits and backward classes, while on the other he insults Babasaheb," states Meghwal, adding that "Yadav's arrogance was to such an extent that he even refused to apologise". He said that the nation will not tolerate it.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav echoed similar sentiments and criticised Yadav and the RJD for their silence and lack of remorse.
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