Politicians rushing to Dalit households to break bread with them but ordering food, utensils and even waiters from outside is an "insult" to the people belonging to the weaker sections, BJP MP Sadhvi Savitri Bai Phoole said today.
She said statues of B R Ambedkar were vandalised but the culprits not put behind bars and added that mere propaganda will not serve any political purpose.
The sharp comments from the Bahraich MP come in the backdrop of a controversy over the recent visit to a Dalit home by a UP government minister belonging to her own party. Other saffron party leaders too have also visited Dalit households in recent past.
"I disagree with the trend of politicians going to Dalits' homes. The father of our Constitution Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was against caste system so those who follow him should not use caste for political purposes. Why only Dalit bhojs (meals) are hyped in the media and not similar events at places belonging to any other caste?" an angry Phoole asked while speaking to PTI.
"The way media reports are showing that food, utensils and waiters are outsourced...It is an insult to Dalits. It is a mockery of Dalits," she said.
Raising more questions, the saffron-robed parliamentarian asked why even after decades of independence she was referred to as a 'Dalit MP'.
"The President is termed as Dalit President. Had Dr Ambedkar's Constitution been followed in letter and spirit, the situation would have been different," she asserted.
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She said if anyone wanted to enhance the honour of Dalits, they should have meals cooked by them and in their utensils.
"Statues of Dr Ambedkar are damaged but arrests are not made. Dalits are murdered. Instead of ensuring justice to them, this propaganda will not help anyone", Phoole said.
Phoole said more vacancies for SC community should be created and Dalits should be given jobs on priority. They should be given houses to live and quality education so that their living standards can rise, she added.
In recent times, several leading politicans, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, had dinner at Dalit households.
A recent such visit by a UP government minister Suresh Rana got mired in controversy as there were reports suggesting he may have brought his own food and water.
The minister and his aides reached the home of a Dalit family in Aligarh to dine with them, but ordered food, mineral water and cutlery from outside as the family was not aware of the minister's visit, according to reports.
Pictures of a well laid out dining table with an assortment of dishes and cutlery went viral on the social media.
Minister Rana however rejected the allegations saying, "In fact, food was prepared in that village by the villagers themselves."
Bharti further said she believes that when she serves food to Dalits on her dining table, "her place...utensils will attain purity."