AAP govt ignored Dalit community on desecration issue, says BJP
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader SR Ladhar on Friday slammed the AAP government over the anti-sacrilege Bill, saying it lacked a provision to punish desecration of idols and scriptures revered by the Dalit community.
“This omission clearly reflects AAP’s disregard for Dalit religious sentiments,” he told reporters here, adding that the Bill omitted any reference to works and idols of Guru Ravidas, saint Kabir and Bhagwan Valmiki, saint Kabir and saint Nabha Das.
He alleged that while the Bill was cleared by the Cabinet and tabled in the Vidhan Sabha, none of the Dalit ministers or AAP MLAs raised any objections to the omission.
“Despite having representation from the Valmiki Samaj, Ravidasia Samaj, Kabir Panth and Mahasha Samaj, no leader spoke out. They have forgotten their responsibilities towards their communities,” said Ladhar.
Ladhar also alleged that the government was using such legislation to divert public attention from pressing issues in the state, including the failure of the land pooling scheme, the worsening drug crisis, and deteriorating law and order.
Meanwhile Punjab Minister Balbir Singh said the Bill was “all-inclusive and democratic in nature”.
“We have not finalised the Bill yet and are taking inputs from all sections of society. Those who are opposing the Bill do not care about the sentiments of people. Those behind the threats to target holy places of worship will soon be nabbed and given exemplary punishment. Such acts are deliberately carried out to disturb the peace and harmony in the state,” he added.
Punjab