'General VK Singh Feudal,' BJP Ally Jitan Ram Manjhi Says on 'Dog' Remark

Patna: Union minister General VK Singh's controversial remark over the death of two Dalit children in Haryana has sparked scathing condemnation even from allies like Jitan Ram Manjhi in poll-bound Bihar which has a large chunk of population from the community.

The government cannot be held responsible for the incident, the BJP leader said today and in an afterthought that landed him in controversy, added, "If someone throws stones at a dog, the government is not responsible".

Lashing out strongly at the comment, former Chief Minister and Mahadalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, now allied with the BJP in Bihar, called Mr Singh "feudal" and asked for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention.

"The incident itself is a blot on humanity. Such an incident in the 21st century, to burn someone alive is a maha paap (cardinal sin). After this if someone compares it to throwing a stone at a dog, this is a maha-galti (huge mistake). He should not have said this. It shows his samant wadi (feudal) mindset," Mr Manjhi said.

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"Whatever criticism of such a man and statement is done, it is not enough. I think he should apologise to the society. The Prime Minister should look into this personally and ensure such statements are not made again," Mr Manjhi told reporters at his village in Bihar's Gaya district.

Another BJP ally in Bihar, General Singh's cabinet colleague and Lok Jan Shakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan also spoke up, asking him to refrain from making such statements. "I don't descend to such low talk, have never done it with any issue," he said.

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On Wednesday, Mr Paswan had blamed the BJP government of Haryana after two children were burnt to death when their house was set on fire, allegedly by members of an upper caste. "The state government is totally answerable. It is a law and order issue," he had said.

In Bihar, the BJP has traditionally drawn more support from the upper castes, but it has joined hands with Dalit leaders like Ram Vilas Paswan and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi for this year's assembly elections.