Champa Ben to return Indira Gandhi award over Rai dance controversy

Sagar, MP, Apr 28 (UNI) The controversy over performance of Bundelkhand region's folk dance Rai during a government-organised mass marriage programme in this district's Garhakota took a new turn today with social activist Champa Ben declaring to return the state government's Indira Gandhi Samaj Sewa award.

With this, the controversy between the ruling BJP and the Congress over the dance was expected to heat up.

A sit-in was today staged here under the leadership of Ms Ben in this regard.

Ms Ben described the Rai dance as a social stigma, which was nurtured by capitalist and feudal people and said the government must end the dance and work for upliftment of 'Bedia Samaj'.

Former Congress Minister Lakshmi Narayan Yadav, former district Congress President Braj Rusia and other Congress leaders were also present during the sit-in. Members of Bedia community also expressed their opinion.

Ms Ben is a disciple of Acharya Vinoba Bhave. She has been working towards the upliftment of Bedia community since the past 22 years.

UNI