BJP expels UP Mahila Morcha chief for ‘objectionable remarks’ against Dalits

In the audio, Mishra could be heard telling a gathering of Brahmins: “Aaj tumhare sar par baithkar, samvidhan ke sahaare jo raaj kar rahe hain, yaad karo, who kabhi tumhare joote saaf karte the, aaj tumhare huzoor ho gayen hain. Kyun? Hum bant gaye hain, hum vibhajit ho gaye hain. (Remember, those who are ruling over you with the help of the Constitution, once used to polish your shoes. Now, they are your masters. This is because we have become divided).”

She allegedly added: “Satish Gautam (BJP MP from Aligarh, also a Brahmin) is fighting to secure your rights because he can imagine your children could become slaves once again after 40 years… then they will have to say ‘ji huzoor’ to whom they do not like… Wake up and fight for your rights like Satish Gautam…”

“BJP has no association with Mishra’s remark. She has been expelled from the party,” said Bajpai. BJP sources said the party quick to take action against Mishra because her remark could affect its campaign to attract Dalit votes.

When contacted, Mishra denied making the remarks. “I am an educated woman and I cannot make any such remark against any caste or community. Technology has been misused by my political rivals to tamper my speech. I am a dedicated worker of BJP from 30 years,” she said.

Earlier, Mishra had been the the state vice-president, Braj region chief and Farrukhabad city unit president of the Mahila Morcha.

When contacted, Satish Gautam said he had attended the event, in which Brahmin leaders from different parties, including BSP and Congress, were also present. “No such remark against any caste or community was made by any leader in my presence. I left early because I had to attend some other programme,” he added.

Maintaining that he was not fighting against Dalits for any right, Gautam said: “I believe in ‘sabka saath sabka vikas’.”