BJP SC Morcha slams ‘purification’ of Dalit protest site - The HinduPublished - September 10, 2026 08:42 pm IST - HYDERABADTelangana BJP SC Morcha leaders on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged sprinkling of turmeric water to “purify” the spot where Dalit groups had staged a protest outside BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s farmhouse.Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office, SC Morcha State president Kanthi Kiran alleged that the area was purified only after Dalit protesters, who had demonstrated by beating traditional drums, left the venue.Terming the act an insult to the Dalit community, he said it reflected a regressive mindset and amounted to reviving discriminatory practices associated with an earlier era. Dalits today live with dignity and self-respect under the constitutional safeguards provided by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and any attempt to demean the community was unacceptable, he asserted.Mr. Kiran also criticised the alleged use of abusive language against the Legislative Assembly Speaker, who belongs to the Dalit community. Such behaviour, while claiming to uphold democratic values, exposed an anti-Dalit attitude, he said.The BJP leader further expressed concern over an incident in which members of the Congress youth wing allegedly attacked the party office and smeared black ink on posters commemorating the 650th birth anniversary of Saint Ravidas Maharaj. He alleged that the police had not taken action against those responsible.Accusing both the Congress and the BRS parties of treating Dalits as a vote bank, Mr. Kiran said leaders of the two parties had repeatedly hurt the sentiments of the community and undermined its self-respect. He criticised former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that both had failed to fulfil promises made to Dalits - like promising to make Dalit the Chief Minister by the former and ‘Dalit Declaration’ and other assurances by the latter.The BJP, he said, would not remain a silent spectator if the dignity and rights of Dalits in the State were compromised. The Modi Government, however, stood by the Dalit community, ensuring genuine empowerment and tangible progress in line with the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar, he claimed. SC Morch leaders Ramaswamy, Shravan, Arvind, and Rammohan and others were present.Published - September 10, 2026 08:42 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }