D Raja condemns BJP MP's 'Dalit' remark on Priyank Kharge over RSS
Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja on Friday condemned BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi over his remarks against Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, saying they
Communist Party of India general secretary D Raja on Friday condemned BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi over his remarks against Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge, saying they exposed the "casteist mentality" of the RSS-BJP. In a post on X, Raja said the comments showed the "deep contempt" that the RSS-BJP harbours towards Dalit communities. The row follows Kharge's letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday, in which he asked the organisation to register itself, clarify its legal status, and disclose its sources of funding, income, expenditure and assets.
Read Full Story Jigajinagi later questioned why Kharge, "a Dalit", should raise such questions about the RSS and said those who came in its way "did not survive". Raja said Jigajinagi's remarks reflected a mindset rooted in hierarchy rather than equality. "Such statements show the RSS' attachment to a casteist hierarchical social order in which Dalits and other marginalised are expected to remain silent rather than question authority," he said. He also asked why the RSS-BJP was uncomfortable with Dalits asserting their constitutional rights and said such a mindset must be rejected.
"Armed with the Constitution drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar, we will continue to question the RSS-BJP and fight for the annihilation of caste. No threat can silence the democratic voices who are fighting for equality, dignity and justice," Raja said. Addressing a press conference in Vijayapura, Jigajinagi said Kharge did not have a sense of what a home minister should ask. "Is it his job to ask such questions about RSS? People will only tell him (what RSS is). Whoever came in the way of RSS did not survive.
He is unnecessarily picking up an issue with the RSS. We feel bad about it," he said. He then asked, "My question is why does this Dalit man need to be concerned about the RSS?" The exchange has centred on Kharge's demand for details about the RSS and Jigajinagi's response, which Raja said reflected a caste-based view that must be opposed. Ends
The BriefWire