Union Minister and BJP leader Uma Bharti stirred controversy on Tuesday, 2 May, when, at an event in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district, she said that she's not Lord Ram who can purify Dalits by having a meal with them.
I am not Lord Ram who will be able to purify Dalits by eating with them. When Dalits come to our house and eat together, it is then that we will become pure. My house would become blessed when I serve the Dalits at my house with my hands.Uma Bharti, as quoted by ANI
Bharti made these remarks at a Samajik Samrasta Bhoj event. According to News18, such events are supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in which BJP leaders share meals with Dalit families so as to give a message of social equality.
The News18 report added that Bharti did not participate in the mass meal at the event.
In a separate incident, BJP MLA Suresh Rana, who is also a minister in the UP government, raised eyebrows when he paid a visit to a Dalit family's house, but arranged for the food, water and cutlery on his own.
Meanwhile, another minister from UP, Rajendra Pratap Singh, reportedly drew a comparison between BJP leaders visiting Dalit households and Lord Ram giving a blessing to Shabari (a Dalit).
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