Meira Kumar hits out at Lalu Yadav's derogatory remark, says it has hurt self-respect of Dalit community

Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav's 'objectionable language' against Bhakt Charan Das was alleged to be an offence under the SC/ST Act by Congress leader Meira Kumar. Tariq Anwar, Congress General Secretary termed the remarks as unfortunate.

New Delhi:Hitting out at Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for using 'objectionable language' against Bhakt Charan Das, Bihar Congress unit-in-charge, Meira Kumar said that it has hurt the self-respect of the Dalit community. Pointing it out as an offence, she also alleged that Yadav's remark comes under the SC/ST Act.

"A respected leader has used objectionable language against Bihar Congress in-charge Bhakta Charan Das, hurting self-respect of Dalit community of Bihar and the country and qualifies as an offence under SC/ST Act," said Kumar while speaking to media.

Yadav had said that his party candidates would lose their deposit in the elections if they remain in alliance with the Congress in the state. Slamming the Congress party, he said, "Would we have left everything to Congress for a loss? For losing deposits?"

ANI quoted Lalu saying, "Bhakt Charan is a stupid person," when posed with the question about the allegation by Das that the RJD was helping the BJP by turning its back on the Congress. Yadav's remark escalated into a row.

"Some people of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Congress are weakening Lalu Prasad, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav's fight to save democracy. Remark of Bihar Congress in-charge Bhakta Charan Das shows that he is a 'bhakta' of BJP and NDA. Congress should expel such leaders," said Mrityunjay Tiwari, spokesperson of RJD, as quoted by ANI.

Meanwhile, condemning Yadav's remark, Tariq Anwar, Congress general secretary called it unfortunate. "Nothing is normal for the Grand Alliance in Bihar these days. The reason for this tussle between the two parties is the upcoming by-polls. The Congress party wanted one seat for itself for being a part of the alliance but RJD took a unilateral decision and fielded its candidates from both the seats," he said.

"The Congress party needs to work and fight independently in Bihar. Congress will not depend on any other party for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," he tweeted.

Yadav's remarks come in the backdrop of upcoming by-polls in Bihar and he commented on forming an alliance with the Congress. Both parties have fielded candidates for the two seats and the rift between the allies has come to light. The by-polls in Kusheshwar Asthan and Tarapur are scheduled to be held on October 30.

In 2020 Assembly polls, NDA emerged as the ruling party by securing 125 seats out of 243 seats. BJP won 74 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 43 while eight seats were won by two other NDA constituents. On the other hand, the single-largest party was the RJD with 75 seats and Congress won merely 19 out of the 70 seats.