Will convert to Buddhism if BJP’s mindset towards backward classes doesn’t change: Mayawati - Hindustan Times
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Will convert to Buddhism if BJP’s mindset towards backward classes doesn’t change: Mayawati

Press Trust of India, Azamgarh | By
Oct 24, 2017 05:43 PM IST

Accusing the BJP of taking forward the ‘casteist agenda’ of the RSS, BSP chief Mayawati blamed it for the suicide of Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad and the Una flogging case where some Dalits were assaulted resulting in outrage and protests.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday claiming it should change its mindset towards Dalits, tribals and backward classes or else she would be forced to convert to Buddhism like Bhimrao Ambedkar.

BSP chief Mayawati said she too is giving an opportunity to the Shankaracharyas, religious leaders and people associated with the BJP to change their thinking or else she too will convert to Buddhism at the right time along with crores of supporters.(HT File Photo)
BSP chief Mayawati said she too is giving an opportunity to the Shankaracharyas, religious leaders and people associated with the BJP to change their thinking or else she too will convert to Buddhism at the right time along with crores of supporters.(HT File Photo)

“I throw an open challenge to the BJP to change its casteist and communal mindset towards Dalits, Adivasis, Backwards and also those who have changed their religion or else I will also have to take a decision towards changing my religion to Buddhism,” she said at a party rally here.

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Recalling Ambedkar, she said after witnessing discrimination in the ‘varna vyawastha’ (caste system) in Hinduism, he had called on the Shankaracharyas and seers to modify it. Since it was not done, Ambedkar, a little before his death, converted to Buddhism in Nagpur along with his followers, she said.

The BSP chief said she too is giving an opportunity to the Shankaracharyas, religious leaders and people associated with the BJP to change their thinking or else she too will convert to Buddhism at the right time along with crores of supporters.

Accusing the BJP of taking the “casteist agenda” of the RSS forward, she blamed it for the suicide of Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad and the Una case of Gujarat where some Dalits were assaulted resulting in outrage and protests.

Charging the BJP with fielding a Dalit associated with the RSS as the presidential candidate to garner votes, she said because of this, Congress and other opposition parties had also fielded a Dalit candidate.

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