The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strategically positioned itself to challenge Lalu Prasad Yadav and his RJD alliance in the upcoming Bihar elections. The BJP is leveraging an alleged act of disrespect towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to undermine Yadav’s political influence, using his own narrative of ‘social justice’ against him. To execute this strategy, the BJP has deployed three Union Ministers from the OBC and backward communities.
The BJP has meticulously planned to use the issue of Dr. Ambedkar’s image to counter Lalu Yadav. They are aggressively highlighting the alleged mistreatment of Ambedkar’s image during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday celebrations. The BJP’s intention is to take this issue to every village in Bihar before the November assembly elections.
A controversial video emerged on June 11, during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday, showing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s image near his feet. The Bihar BJP has been vocal about this issue, including a press conference in Patna led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
The Bihar State Scheduled Castes Commission has issued a notice to Lalu Yadav, seeking his clarification on the matter and considering potential action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In response to the escalating situation, Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Arjun Ram Meghwal, all representing the OBC and Dalit communities, took action. Shivraj Singh Chouhan condemned the incident, stating that neither Bihar nor the nation would forgive Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD for the alleged disrespect shown towards Ambedkar.
Bhupender Yadav criticized Lalu Prasad Yadav’s silence, citing the atrocities committed against Dalits and backward communities during his tenure. He demanded a public apology. Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Law Minister, echoed this demand. Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also demanded a public apology.
The BJP is planning to further capitalize on this issue. Sources indicate that Janak Ram, a Dalit minister in the Bihar government, will meet Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to seek an apology or legal recourse against Lalu Yadav regarding the perceived insult to Ambedkar.
The BJP plans to protest across Bihar, taking the issue of Ambedkar’s alleged insult down to the mandal level. This will include burning effigies of Lalu Yadav at district and mandal levels and organizing protests. The Bihar BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha will lead these demonstrations. The BJP’s strategy uses OBC leaders and Union Ministers to challenge Lalu Yadav on his own social justice platform.