BJP best disciple of British rulers, says Ghulam Nabi Azad

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on 3 January said the Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) is best disciple of the British rulers.

He made this statement while addressing a press conference here to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over Bhima-Khoregaon violence in Pune in which a youth was killed on Monday.

Replying a question, Azad alleged it was 24x7 agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to divide and rule.

"Write ups, editorials are being written in international media how the ruling party, when it was in opposition, had been dividing the county in the name of caste and religion and ever since it has come to power, it has totally divided the country in the name of caste and religion. The only thing they have learnt from the Britishers is 'divide and rule'. They are the best disciples of the British rulers," Azad said.

The senior Congress leader and former union minister said atrocities on dalits have increased during Prime Minister Modi's rule.

"Atrocities are being inflicted on dalits since the last three and half years, since the BJP came to power in the centre. Its impact is also visible in the states, especially the BJP ruled states where dalits are being suppressed, killed, and raped," Azad said.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge blamed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for Bhima-Khoregaon violence and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on it.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, senior Congress leader Kharge said, "In order to create rift in the society, radical Hindus belonging to the RSS are behind the violence in Bhima-Khoregaon".

He also demanded Prime Minister Modi to make a statement on the incident and said he can't keep a mum.

"A Supreme Court judge should be appointed for inquiry in Bhima-Koregaon Violence. The Prime Minister should also give a statement, he can't stay mum. He is a Mauni baba (a saint who doesn't speak) on such issues," Kharge said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Crime Investigation Department (CID) led probe into the death of a youth in the violence.

The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the victim's kin.

On Tuesday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi also trained guns at the RSS and Prime Minister Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the violence.

"A central pillar of the RSS/BJP's fascist vision for India is that Dalits should remain at the bottom of Indian society. Una, Rohith Vemula and now Bhima-Koregaon are potent symbols of the resistance," Rahul tweeted.

Tension has gripped many parts of Maharashtra after death of a youth in clashes on Monday during an event to mark 200 years of Bhima Koregaon battle near Pune.

The Battle of Koregaon was fought on January 1, 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.

The Marathas ultimately withdrew, fearing the arrival of a larger British force led by General Joseph Smith.

The Company troops of Indian origin included predominantly Mahar Dalit soldiers belonging to the Bombay Native Infantry, and therefore the dalit activists regard the battle as a heroic episode in their history. 

-ANI