Priyank Kharge criticizes BJP’s silence over Yatnal’s discriminatory remarks on Dalit women, saying while earlier BJP questioned CM’s statement.
Congress leader and Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday raised strong criticism against BJP leaders for remaining silent over controversial remarks made by BJP MLA R. Ashoka Yatnal regarding Dalit women. Sharing his views on social media platform X, Kharge asked why BJP leaders, who had previously protested Siddaramaiah’s statements about inequality in Hinduism, are now “silent and mute” when Yatnal made discriminatory comments.
Kharge cited Yatnal’s assertion that only a “Sanatan Hindu woman” can perform flower offerings at the Chamundeshwari temple, and that ordinary Dalit women do not have the authority to do so. He described such remarks as reflecting “Manuvadi” thinking—deep-rooted caste-based discrimination embedded in both ideology and practice. Kharge argued that Dalits are denied access not only to religious practices but also to essential rights such as drinking water, governance, education, business, and even basic livelihood, highlighting systemic oppression.
He further drew parallels to past incidents where Dalit leaders, including former President Draupadi Murmu and Ram Nath Kovind, were allegedly excluded from temple or ceremonial events, questioning the claim of inclusivity in Hindu society. Kharge emphasized that even during Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s time, discrimination against Dalits persisted despite constitutional safeguards, and he questioned the logic of claiming Hindu unity while systematically excluding Dalits.
Kharge concluded by urging political leaders to acknowledge caste-based disparities and work toward genuine social equality, pointing out that ignoring such issues undermines the very notion of Hindu solidarity they claim to uphold.
