Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

BJP vows to fight for dalit rights

Staff Reporter

`Denial of entry into temples still exists'

FOR A CAUSE: Former BJP president, Bangaru Laxman, addressing the `Dalitha Chaithanya Sadassu' at Tirupati on Thursday.

TIRUPATI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has reiterated its commitment to work for the cause of the dalits, downtrodden and the oppressed classes in the country.

Addressing the `Dalita Chaitanya Sadassu,' organised by the Bharatiya Janata Dalit Morcha (BJDM) here on Thursday, the party's former national president, Bangaru Laxman, said that the programme was not essentially meant to be party-oriented, but an attempt to bring all dalit outfits together.

He said the party was ready to join hands with the dalit units of various political parties to launch a joint struggle.

`No progress'

Mr.Laxman pondered if the Constitution's support to the cause of the downtrodden was really sound and the policies framed to implement them were foolproof, given that the dalits were still a backward lot even half a century after the country was declared independent. Though a number of schemes had been implemented for the benefit of dalits, there was no significant progress, he felt.

Citing denial of entry into temples in some villages and opportunities in education and employment sectors as an indicator of under-development, he questioned, "When 20 crore dalits are suffering silently, how can India dream of securing a seat among the developed nations by the year 2020."

The Morcha's former national vice-president, P.Penchalaiah, former director of National Safai Karmachari Sangh, C.Sambamurthi and national council member, P.Tulasi Nehru, were among the participants.

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