Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi today charged the opposition RJD with having failed to protect the interests of dalits while it was in power in the state.
He also questioned the Bharat Bandh called in protest against dilution of the SC/ST Act despite the Centre coming out in support of the depressed classes.
Speaking in the state legislative council, amid a walkout by RJD MLCs who wanted a debate on the floor of the House on the issue of SC/ST Act, Sushil also thanked the Narendra Modi government for filing a review petition against the Supreme Court ruling of March 20.
"It is surprising to see so much of noise being made on the issue of Dalits by members of a party which had never cared for the interests of the socially vulnerable group during its 15-year-rule.
"The RJD had held Panchayat polls in 2003 without providing reservations to Dalits. Its rule was also marked by horrendous massacres of Dalits in a number of districts of the state", the senior BJP leader said.
"I sincerely thank the Narendra Modi government which has acted swiftly and lodged a review petition against the Apex Court judgement which seeks to dilute the SC/ST Act. However, I fail to understand why people are hitting the streets when the Government had made its stand clear four days ago", the Deputy Chief Minister said.
"Rumours are being spread that the BJP was conspiring to do away with reservations for Dalits and OBCs. Quotas have been introduced in keeping with Ambedkar's vision of an egalitarian society and no political party could dare to tinker with the provision", he said.
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The BJP-led NDA, whenever it has been in power at the Centre or in the states has demonstrated its commitment towards the betterment of the weaker sections of the society, he said.
A special word of thanks to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, under whose leadership we formed a government in 2005 and quotas were introduced for Extremely Backward Classes soon afterwards, he added.