Maharashtra BJP MLA ‘compares’ Dalits’ upliftment with pig, creates controversy

Dombivli MLA Ravindra Chavan purportedly cited the example of Abraham Lincoln narrating a story where Lincoln picked up a “piglet” from a drain and cleaned it.

A video purportedly showing BJP MLA from Dombivli Ravindra Chavan using analogy of pigs while talking about “upliftment of the Dalits” has gone viral on the social media, prompting NCP to demand his apology.

BJP MLA from Maharashtra, Ravindra Chavan, purportedly compared the upliftment of Dalits with a pig in an event in Thane on June 17, 2016. Congress and NCP have criticised the comment. (Facebook)

The video is purportedly of an event in neighbouring Thane district on June 17.

Chavan cited the example of Abraham Lincoln narrating a story where Lincoln picked up a “piglet” from a drain and cleaned it.

“Similarly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too were working hard to uplift Dalits,” Chavan said.

The analogy sparked protest and Thane district unit of NCP organised a “naming ceremony” of a pig and named it `Ravindra Chavan’.

“The cassette (video recording) of my speech which is being circulated is edited and not the original uncut one. My statement has been distorted,” Chavan claimed.

NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the BJP MLA should tender an apology for the “appalling analogy”.