BJP’s Dalit face Udit Raj plans pro-quota rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan

“Ye bachav ka nahi, prahar ka samay hai (this is not the time to be defensive, but to attack),” he said, while speaking at an ‘Aarakshan Chintan Sammelan’ organised by his outfit — the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations.

“If he (Patel) can mobilise five lakh people, we need to ensure that we are at least 10 lakh in number at Ramlila Maidan on December 7 to show our strength and support for reservation,” added Raj.
Arguing that Patel was being used as a “pawn” by other powerful entities, Raj said: “Here is a 22-year-old who keeps changing his statements every few minutes. If he has mobilised the crowd, it’s because people are working behind him. What is the basis for the Patel reservation? They are amongst the richest communities with hotel chains and flourishing businesses.”

The event was attended by several other Dalit leaders and activists from various states. Speakers also attacked the BJP government and blamed privatisation for shrinking opportunities for the Dalit youth.
“Many of our people work in MCD, BSNL and MTNL which have all been privatised, leaving fewer opportunities for the next generation,” said Sumit Ranga, an activist.

Dalit leader RK Sharal said, “Every time the BJP government comes to power, the attack on reservation begins. In their imagination of a Hindu rashtra, we have no place. If we don’t get together despite our differences and fight them, they will impose their Manuwadi culture on us.”