NDA Govt suppressing SCs, STs: Srihari

Upping the ante against the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister K Srihari today warned the former that it would perish if it plays with fire by trying to suppress the SCs and STs in the country. He exhorted the Dalits and tribals to join hands as it is the right time to fight and protect their rights.

After participating in some development programs along with Finance Minister Eatala Rajender, MP Vinod Kumar and others, Srihari lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Supreme Court verdict on SCs, STs Atrocities Prevention Act case. The apex court delivered the verdict on the basis of a report submitted by the Narendra Modi Government, he fumed.

The Deputy Chief Minister also said Dr B R Ambedkar, architect of Indian Constitution, paved the way for protecting the rights of Dalits, STs and other oppressed classes. The Supreme Court and the Centre should work in conformity with the provisions in the Constitution, he said. However, any efforts to review the existing SC, ST Atrocities Act will only lead to chaos and anarchy across the country, he warned. The BJP Government at the Centre was against uplift of Dalits and oppressed classes in the country, he charged.

The Centre, he alleged, was showing step-motherly and partisan attitude towards the Dalits and STs in the country. He attributed the recent killings of Dalits to the conspiracy of the Centre and States. He also said the TRS government was protecting the interests of Dalits, STs and Minorities and giving equal priority to all the communities. Soon the government will erect a 125 tall Ambedkar statue in the State capital, he said. He further said Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao launched 577 Gurukul Institutions in the State and offering Rs 25 lakh for overseas scholarships to the Dalits, STs and others. (NSS)