Is The BJP On The Back Foot On Dalit Issues?
There are two groups of people in India who are particularly restless and aggrieved today- farmers and Dalits. Just a few weeks ago, we saw incredible images of the farmers march in Maharashtra. Their stories are echoing in other parts of the country. Today, various Dalit groups organised a nationwide shutdown or "Bharat Bandh", to protest against a Supreme Court ruling which they feel tramples on their rights. The protests were huge in seven states in north India, killing at least seven people, five in Madhya Pradesh alone. While the centre has asked the Supreme Court to review the order, Monday's protest appears to be much more than this one issue. The anger has been building up for sometime. So why are Dalits angry? What has driven them to protest? On this episode of Left, Right & Centre, we try to understand issues of Dalits and ask if the BJP is on the back foot?
