Mumbai, May 1 (IANS). Prakash Ambedkar, president of the disadvantaged Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), termed the announcement of caste -based census by the central government as a ‘jumla’ and described it as a conspiracy to divert attention from the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a conversation with IANS in Mumbai, he said that the government had given an affidavit in the Supreme Court that it could not conduct caste census. Ambedkar questioned, “The government should first clarify when it is withdrawing its affidavit?” He claimed that the announcement is an attempt to suppress concerns arising out of the proposed delimitation and restructuring of parliamentary seats in 2026, as the population of the northern states is increasing and the southern states are declining. Ambedkar said that the government will never make this data public.
Ambedkar also launched a scathing attack on the Congress. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said that the Congress never supported the caste census from Pandit Nehru to Indira Gandhi. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s demands are copying VBA’s demands. Ambedkar said, “Rahul Gandhi does not have the courage to order the Chief Minister of Karnataka to make the report of caste census public. It is clear how serious the Congress is on this issue.”
On the court rebuke on the petition of the judicial inquiry filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Pahalgam terror attack, Ambedkar said, “Some people try to become a robin hood. The Supreme Court did well by reprimanding such people.”
He said that the army is ready for action, but there is a lack of clarity and courage in political leadership. He demanded from all parties to motivate the government to take concrete steps against Pakistan. He said, “The officer is not ready to take a decision, and the soldier is claimed to have an open exemption. If nothing happens, the government would say that the army did not take action.”
Ambedkar also criticized the Prime Minister’s statements after the Pulwama attack. He said that the government propagated using fighter jets, while the Pinaka missile, which is now 120 km, could have destroyed terrorist hideouts sitting at home. He raised the question, “Kargil winning Pinaka was available, then why were the jets sent? The government’s intention is not clear.” Ambedkar announced a movement on behalf of VBA, seeking decisive action against terrorism from the government.
-IANS
PSM/CBT