Dalits need to struggle for power: Paswan

Mhow, Indore, Apr 14 (UNI) Lok Janashkati Party president Ram Vilas Paswan today called upon Dalits and deprived sections of the society to struggle for power and improve their standard of life.

After paying tributes to Father of Indian Constitution Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at his birthplace Mhow, Mr Paswan said Dalits and deprived sections of the society had to become aware of their rights and prevent themselves from being scattered to gain power or else their oppression by upper castes will continue.

He said he was launching a 'Rath Yatra' for Dalits and minorities on May 6 from New Delhi to spread awareness among these sections.

He appealed them to remain aware of vote greedy political leaders and cautioned them especially against the BSP and the BJP.

He described the BJP as a ''two-headed snake'' that remembered 'Ram' whenever elections approached nearer. However, the party did not construct Ram Temple during its six-year-rule, he said.

Mr Paswan alleged now the BJP was spreading communalism by rolling out 'yatras' again.

Commenting upon reservation system, he said he had demanded reservation in private sector. Besides 49 per cent reservation for SC, ST and OBCs, economically backward people of upper castes must also be given reservation, he said.

Mr Paswan said he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and ask them to provide more land for construction of a memorial in Dr Ambedkar's memory.

Additional land will enable full developed memorial and equip it with museum, library and residential facilities, he added.

In his speech, LJP vice-president Phool Singh Baraiya said BSP Supremo Mayawati and the then Chief Minister Digvijay Singh ditched him in 2003 or else the conditions of Dalits and deprived sections would not have been so.

Pointing out that Madhya Pradesh stood first in rape cases and backwardness, Mr Baraiya said the party will emerge victorious in next elections and make special provision for strict punishment to rape accused.

He promised that women belonging to poor families will not need to migrate in search of jobs.

Earlier, Mr Paswan was welcomed at several places on way from Indore to Mhow. A number of welcome gates and slogans of the party were put up.

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