http://www.indianexpress.com/news/congs-fake-love-for-dalits-is-exposed-bsp/608891/
Cong's 'fake love' for Dalits is exposed: BSP Agencies Posted online: Tuesday , Apr 20, 2010 at 1531 hrs Lucknow : The BSP on Tuesday slammed the Congress for omitting Bhimrao Ambedkar's contribution in a booklet issued to commemorate its 125 years, saying the party's "anti-dalit mentality" and "fake love" for the community have been exposed. "There is no mention of the contributions made by Dr Ambedkar, dalit leader Babu Jagjeevan Ram and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the booklet released by Congress on completing 125 years of its foundation," BSP state president Swami Prasad Maurya said in a statement issued here. "This booklet has exposed Congress' fake love for dalits.... Surprisingly this book was released on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar," he added. Maurya alleged that as a part of a conspiracy the party had showered praise on one family and there was no mention of any other leader belonging to dalit or minority communities. "If the party forgets to publish the name of Dr Ambedkar considered as a messiah by crores of people in the country, then it is proved that Congress love for dalits is nothing more than a farce," he alleged. Maurya alleged that Congress had always opposed Ambedkar and was not able to get rid of its casteist mentality towards dalit leaders even after 125 years. The Congress, however, dismissed BSP's charge, saying that it was not an intentional omission as the booklet was only about the contribution of Congress leaders. "But since B R Ambedkar was part of the Congress-led government, we will be including it in the booklet," state general secretary Subodh Shrivatsava said. Terming Congress' 'chetna yatra' launched by Rahul Gandhi on April 14 in BSP's stronghold as a "drama", the BSP state president said that the party was indulging in such activities only to mislead dalits. "Only handful people are participating in this yatra and in desperation party leaders are using all methods to attract crowd. This is evident from the fact that an indecent dance programme was organised in Bulandshahr yesterday," Maurya alleged. He accused AICC general secretary Rahul of hurting the feelings of crores of followers of Ambedkar by not using the 'parmapujya' (most revered) to show respect to the leader during the Ambedkar Nagar visit. "Omission of contributions made by the dalit and minority leaders in the booklet is not a mistake, but a deliberate act as a part of the conspiracy," he alleged. He alleged that the Congress always "used" Jagjeevan Ram and never gave him the respect he deserved. He said the dalit community would give a befitting reply to the Congress at an appropriate time.
