SP MP Ramjilal Suman Reviews Preparations for Agra Dalit Mahasammelan

Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha MP Ramjilal Suman reviewed preparations for the western Uttar Pradesh Dalit Mahasammelan during a meeting with party office-bearers and workers in Hathras on November 2. The conference will be held on 15 November at the Rajkiya Inter College ground in Agra.

Suman reached Hathras on Monday and held the meeting at the Samajwadi Party district office. The meeting focused on the arrangements for the proposed large Dalit conference in Agra and on efforts to make the event successful.

After the meeting, Suman addressed a press conference and strongly targeted the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that the inclination of the Dalit community towards the Samajwadi Party was increasing rapidly.

According to Suman, the Dalit Mahasammelan in Agra would help give the community a new political direction. He said resentment among Dalits was increasing over the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

‘No political party can remain in power permanently’

Responding to the ‘अंगद का पैर’ statement made by Amit Shah and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Suman said that if the British Empire could not last forever, the power of any political party also could not be permanent.

He said that in a democracy, the continuation of a government depended on the trust of the people. His remarks came while discussing the claim that the BJP’s position in power could remain firmly established.

Targeting the government over the Ram temple and Mathura issues, the SP MP alleged that the BJP government was trying to divert public attention from basic problems such as unemployment, poverty and livelihood.

Suman said that ordinary people were facing challenges related to employment and economic difficulties. He said the government should work seriously on these issues instead of allowing attention to remain focused on matters that, according to his allegation, were being used to shift the public debate.

Suman also expressed concern over the privatisation of government undertakings. Opposing the move, he said it could affect employment opportunities available to Dalits and backward classes through reservation.

He also questioned the budget for SC-ST welfare schemes. Suman claimed that more than 50 percent of the budget allocated for these schemes could not be spent. Along with this, he raised questions about the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.

On the cases registered against Azam Khan, Suman alleged that Khan was being harassed for political reasons. However, he said he had complete faith in the judiciary and hoped that Azam Khan would receive justice.

Former MLA Devendra Agrawal, SP district president Devendra Kushwaha, and other party office-bearers and workers were present at the meeting. The participants discussed preparations for the proposed Dalit Mahasammelan in Agra and the steps required to make the programme successful.