Prakash Ambedkar asks govt to prove Elgar funding

Mumbai: Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM) leader Prakash Ambedkar has levelled serious allegations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the violence that erupted at Bhima-Koregaon, Pune, in January this year. Mr Ambedkar alleged that the BJP was pitching anti- and pro- reservation forces against each other as it had failed to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims.

Mr Ambedkar also demanded that the government show the money trail of the Elgar Parishad organisation, which held a meeting in Pune on December 31, 2017, as part of the bicentennial anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle that was fought between the British and the Peshwa’s Maratha forces.

“The BJP first tried to pitch Hindus against Muslims. They tried to create communal tensions between these two communities. But the Muslims did not get provoked so now, the BJP is trying something different. They are now pitching pro-reservation and anti-reservation communities against each other,” said Mr Ambedkar.

The BBM leader even claimed that the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal were taking their activists for Ganga snan (bathing in the Ganga river) and making them pledge against reservation. “In Madhya Pradesh, 51 yadnyas are underway. Everywhere, they are getting participants to swear against reservation,” said Mr Ambedkar.