The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has crafted a robust plan to counter the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its leader Lalu Prasad Yadav in the upcoming Bihar elections. The BJP is strategically using the alleged disrespect shown towards Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to politically undermine Yadav, utilizing the very ‘social justice’ platform he once championed. Three Union Ministers from the OBC and backward classes have been assigned to lead this effort.
The BJP has meticulously prepared to ensnare Lalu Yadav, a former advocate of social justice, within his own ideological framework. The party is vigorously highlighting the alleged mishandling of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s image during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday celebrations. The BJP intends to amplify this issue across Bihar’s villages ahead of the November assembly elections.
An alleged video, circulated on June 11 during Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday, depicts Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s image placed near his feet. The Bihar BJP has been aggressively pursuing this issue for the past few days, 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, requesting an explanation and considering action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In response to the growing controversy, three Union Ministers – Bhupender Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Arjun Ram Meghwal – all representing OBC and Dalit communities, were deployed. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan condemned the incident in Patna, stating that Lalu Prasad Yadav and the RJD would not be forgiven for the perceived disrespect shown towards Ambedkar.
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav criticized Lalu Prasad Yadav’s silence on the matter. He stated that the people of Bihar have not forgotten the atrocities committed against Dalits and backward communities during his rule. He demanded an apology. Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Law Minister, and a member of the Dalit community, also called for Lalu Prasad Yadav to apologize. Furthermore, former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has publicly demanded an apology from Yadav.
The BJP intends to escalate this matter further. Party sources suggest that Janak Ram, a Dalit minister in the Bihar government, will meet Governor Arif Mohammad Khan to request either an apology or legal action against Lalu Yadav over the perceived insult to Ambedkar.
The BJP will mobilize protests across Bihar, taking the issue of Ambedkar’s alleged insult to the mandal level. The BJP plans to burn effigies of Lalu Yadav at the district and mandal levels and organize protests. The Bihar BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha will spearhead these demonstrations. The BJP’s strategy, deploying OBC leaders and Union Ministers to attack Lalu Yadav, aims to dismantle his social justice platform.