BJP celebrates Valmiki Jayanti, says dalits a priority for Govt

BJP, which is trying to woo the Dalits ahead of crucial UP polls, on Saturday celebrated the birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki with party chief Amit Shah paying rich tributes to the poet-saint.

Addressing a function to celebrate ‘Valmiki Jayanti’ at the party headquarters here, Shah said the Modi government had dedicated all its schemes to dalits and the poor to help ameliorate their socio-economic conditions.

He lauded the silent role played by Maharishi Valmiki, the creater of Hindu epic Ramayana, in uplift of the Valmiki community and dalits. Shah noted that the Maharishi had said that all are equal and added that the Constitution framed by B R Ambedkar ensures that every individual gets equal rights and opportunities to move forward.

“The government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one that is working most for dalits, backwards, tribals and the poor. Take any ministry or department, you will see that the first five schemes are dedicated to the poor, dalits, backwards and the oppressed,” he said.

BJP has been trying hard to reach out the dalit community ahead of crucial polls in five states slated early next year but has suffered setbacks due to a string of controversies including Rohith Vemula issue and attacks on dalits by cow vigilantes.