AAP seeks case against Valtoha for outburst against Ambedkar
Monday, 11/07/2016
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JALANDHAR/ PATIALA: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has condemned the chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Virsa Singh Valtoha for his accusing BR Ambedkar of spreading casteism in India.
The statement was made by Valtoha during a TV show at Amritsar in front of an audience.
In a press release, AAP spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira said when Valtoha was confronted by someone from the audience that Akalis are not living up to Guru’s words —“Manas ki Jaat sabhe ek hi pehchan bo (recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity)”—Valtoha squarely held Ambedkar responsible for fanning casteism by recommending reservation on caste lines.
Khaira said the audience reacted sharply to Valtoha’s remark and the anchor of the show had to halt the proceedings of the debate.
“The statement of Valtoha is a direct reflection of the feudal hierarchy of the SAD, which is controlled by feudal Badal and Majithia families,” he said.
Khaira said Valtoha should be booked under section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings or any class) of the IPC.
He also urged Badal to tender an unconditional apology for Valtoha’s remarks.
Aam Aadmi Party SC/ST wing president Dev Mann, at a press conference in Patiala, said, “I want to clear that the caste system existed in India before Ambedkar and he himself had to face caste discrimination. We demand that chief minister Parkash Singh Badal expel Valtoha within a week. If the CM doesn’t take action, our party will intensify struggle against him.”
