BJP Dalit leaders apprehensive of antagonising supporters

New Delhi: Protests across seven states during Monday’s Bharat Bandh over a Supreme Court verdict that diluted provisions of the law meant to prevent atrocities committed on Dalits and Tribals has put the BJP in a fix. Its Scheduled Caste leaders are jittery about losing support of the communities after seeing the support the bandh has received. BJP chief Amit Shah postponed his scheduled visit to Karnataka to avoid any embarrassment during public interactions in the poll-bound state by protestors, according to BJP insiders.

The party brass is closely watching the developments following violent protests in several states, most of which are under BJP rule. The Centre and the ruling party tried to salvage the situation by emphasising in Parliament and outside that a review petition has been filed. It also fielded its Dalit faces to underline that BJP stood for rights of SCs and STs.

However, BJP’s Dalit leaders appeared fazed by the developments.


Though they put up a brave front and several of them defended the party formally, some were apprehensive about antagonising supporters. Until not long ago, BJP had the image of a ‘Brahmin-Bania’ party. Its success in the last two decades can be attributed to the social engineering the party undertook and the support thereafter it has received from most communities, including Backwards, Dalits and Tribals. This advantage could be under threat following the protests, its leaders from weaker sections fear. Sections in the BJP apprehend that some Dalit leaders may rebel if the protests continue.

BJP’s Bahraich MP Savitri Bai Phule, troubled by her party launching a movement on quotas, had alleged there were efforts to end reservations in government jobs and educational institutions for Dalits and Tribals. She said she plans to hold meetings in different states. On Sunday, she held a rally in Lucknow to voice her concern over SC issues.

“Our movement continues. I will soon tour different states, including Jharkhand, Bihar and MP, to highlight issues relating to Bahujan Samaj. On April 15, I would be in Bokaro (Jharkhand),” Phule told ET on phone. According to her, she will visit Patna on May 11. However, she claimed that she is not against anyone. “We are fighting for our rights. We want proper implementation of reservation.”

BJP seems to be in no mood to initiate any action against her in view of its ongoing efforts to expand the party’s base among SC voters.