Pushed to the corner over serial atrocities on Dalits in the last few months, YSRCP is trying to turn the tables by attacking the opposition TDP. The ruling party Dalit wing held protests against TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s “anti-Dalit” stance on September 1 in a clear attempt to divert public attention from the attacks on Dalits. YSRCP leaders in Visakhapatnam performed ‘palabhishekam’ to the Dr. BR Ambedkar statue as part of this campaign, as if it is TDP which carried out attacks on Dalits.
The state government’s failure was clear in the episode of Dr. Sudhakar in Narsipatnam. Finally High Court had to intervene and order CBI probe into the incident. CBI made some crucial observations during the hearing in the case in High Court on September 1. It suspected a ‘deep-rooted’ conspiracy behind the entire episode and sought more time to investigate. This development indicates political angles in attacks on Dalits. In some instances, political parties are deliberately bringing in caste aspect.
Even the incident of a Dalit youth Vara Prasad being tonsured in a police station in East Godavari is fresh in memory, while another incident of brutal attack on Dalit in Visakhapatnam at the residence of Nutan Naidu created sensation. But in Visakhapatnam incident, police swung into action and took the accused into custody within 24 hours. Any one leader or factor cannot be held responsible for these incidents, but the opposition is attacking the government on Sudhakar episode as it suspects a plot. The government on its part, instead of acting sternly against the accused in such cases, is trying to portray that the opposition party is behind these unsavoury incidents. TDP leaders on their way to call on the victims are being arrested on the pretext of violating corona restrictions. When they try to console via online, ruling party leaders are criticizing that TDP leaders were indulging in politics from comfort of their homes.
The YSRCP is leaving no stone unturned to give the impression that it was under TDP rule that Dalits were oppressed, harassed and discriminated against and Naidu has no love for Dalits and they are leading a very happy and contented life now under Jagan’s government. The party is also conducting a campaign with this theme – much to the surprise and dismay common people.