Cong workers protest against Valtoha
Thursday, 14/07/2016
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HOSHIARPUR: Members of the scheduled caste wing of Hoshiarpur district unit of the Congress held a protest here against chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Virsa Singh Valtoha for his alleged remarks against Dr BR Ambedkar, architect of the Indian Constitution.
Members of the SC cell of the Congress protesting against CPS Virsa Singh Valtoha in Garhshankar on Wednesday.
Hundreds of workers of the scheduled caste Cell, led by chairman Dr Raj Kumar, staged a protest at Binewal in Garhshankar, where chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had arrived to hold sangat darshan.
They alleged that Valtoha’s ‘offensive’ statement against Dr BR Ambedkar had hurt the sentiments of the SC community across the state that worshipped the latter as their mesiah.
They demanded a case against Valtoha under Section 295-A and his immediate dismissal from the government.
The workers also demanded a public apology from the CM for the ‘misdoing’ of his junior colleague. Dr Raj Kumar said if the government did not take action, they would start a hunger strike. Questioning the silence of Dalit leaders of the ruling party, he said they should not forget that it was the people’s support that made them rulers.
Ignoring their sentiments would cost them dear, he added. He revealed that from Thursday onwards, statewide protests would be started against Valtoha.
The protesters were taken into police custody when they tried to march towards the venue of the CM's sangat darshan.
Till the time of filing the report, they were detained in the Sadar police station. Valtoha had allegedly accused Dr BR Ambedkar of spreading casteism in India by recommending reservations on caste lines.
The statement was made by Valtoha during a TV show at Amritsar on July 9.
