Mumbai: Gujarat dalit leader Jignesh Mevani has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly spreading lies and hatred in the country. Mr Mevani, who was in the city on Wednesday to participate in the “BJP versus Bharatiya” rally, said that this time, everyone should set aside their differences and join hands to defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections. The rally which was organised by a local organisation was held in Dadar.
Speaking on the current regime’s attempts to muzzle the voices of dissent, Mr Mevani said, “These people want us to be obedient to them. They want to snatch our basic rights. They want to bring the Manusmriti instead of the constitution and if we try to raise our voice, they threaten us.”
The dalit leader appealed for political unity against the BJP in the upcoming polls. “I appeal to all of you to unite. There are differences within our groups as well as between like-minded people. But this is not the time to talk about them. This is the time to save democracy. We have to unite and fight a fascist government,” he said.
“Lokanche Dost” (Friends of the People), a local organisation of Dr Ambedkar’s followers and social workers, had organised this march. The organisation has arranged over 100 rallies in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts in the past six months. The Wednesday rally took place from the Shivaji statue at Shivaji Park in Dadar to Chaityabhoomi.
