"Increasing incidents of atrocities on poor, Dalits in UP extremely worrying": Mayawati

Agra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 17 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Thursday raised concerns and condemned the recent incident of "casteist violence" during a Dalit wedding procession in Agra.
Mayawati condemned the incident and said that the increasing atrocities against the poor and Dalits across Uttar Pradesh are "extremely worrying."
The BSP chief pointed out that under the rule of the BSP, the state government had always stood firmly with the oppressed, ensuring justice for the Dalit community.
"The recent incident of violence by casteist and feudal elements on a Dalit wedding procession in Agra and the increasing incidents of atrocities on the poor and Dalits in various districts of UP are extremely worrying, whereas during the rule of BSP, the government was always seen standing with them against injustice," Mayawati posted on X.
This comes after miscreants allegedly attacked a wedding procession following a dispute between two groups over the DJ music being played.
According to reports, the attackers armed with sticks and swords pulled the groom off his horse by his collar. The assailants then proceeded to chase and assault the wedding guests, including the baratis.
A video of the incident has surfaced, showing the violent confrontation. Local reports suggest that several individuals sustained severe head injuries and were promptly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
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Police Commissionerate, Agra, also took to its official handle on X and posted about the incident.
"On receiving information regarding a dispute over playing DJ in a wedding procession in the jurisdiction of Etmadpur police station, the police took immediate action and got the injured medically examined and on the basis of the complaint received, a case has been registered under relevant sections, and legal action is being taken," posted Agra Police on X.
Mayawati on Thursday also launched a sharp attack on the Samajwadi Party (SP), accusing it of fostering an environment of tension and violence by using Dalits for political gain.
In a series of posts on X, Mayawati said, "It is known that like other parties, SP too is creating an environment of tension and violence by putting forward people of the party, especially Dalits. Its controversial statements, allegations and counter-allegations, and programmes reflect a politics of extreme narrow selfishness."
Taking a dig at SP's outreach to Dalits, she further wrote, "SP can go to any extent to get Dalit votes. Therefore, along with Dalits, other backwards classes and the Muslim community should also avoid falling prey to the political tactics of this party."
She added, "Instead of commenting on the history of others, it would be better if the opportunistic Dalits associated with such parties talk about the goodness and struggles of saints, gurus, and great men of their society, due to whom they have become worthy of something."
This came after SP Dalit MP Ramji Lal Suman sparked controversy with his statement on Rana Sanga, a 16th-century Rajput king, calling him a "traitor" for allegedly bringing Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. (ANI)