BJP SC Morcha criticizes ‘cleansing’ of Dalit protest site

Leaders of the Telangana BJP SC Morcha on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged sprinkling of turmeric water to “cleanse” the site where Dalit groups staged a protest outside the house of BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.

SC Morcha State President Kanthi Kiran told a press conference at the BJP state office that the area was cleared only after the Dalit protesters, who were demonstrating by beating traditional drums, left the site.

Terming the act an insult to the Dalit community, he said it reflected a regressive mindset and led to a revival of discriminatory practices associated with an earlier era. Dalits today live with dignity and self-respect under the constitutional guarantees provided by Dr. BR Ambedkar and any attempt to humiliate the community was unacceptable, he asserted.

Mr. Kiran also criticized the alleged use of abusive language against the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, who belongs to the Dalit community. Such behaviour, while claiming to promote democratic values, revealed an anti-Dalit attitude, he said.

The BJP leader further expressed concern over the incident in which members of the Congress youth wing allegedly attacked the party office and smeared posters commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas Maharaj with black ink. He alleged that no action was taken by the police against those responsible.

Accusing both the Congress and the BRS parties of treating Dalits as a vote bank, Mr. Kiran said leaders of both parties had repeatedly hurt the community’s sentiments and undermined its self-respect. He criticized former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that both failed to fulfill promises made to Dalits — such as the former’s promise to make a Dalit Chief Minister and the latter’s “Dalit Declaration” and other assurances.

The BJP, he said, would not remain a silent spectator if the dignity and rights of Dalits in the state were threatened. However, the Modi government stood by the Dalit community and ensured real empowerment and tangible progress in line with the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, he claimed. SC Morch leaders Ramaswamy, Shravan, Arvind and Rammohan and others were present.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 20:42 IST