UP has become no. 1 in atrocities against Dalits under BJP govt: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Monday claimed that under the BJP government, Uttar Pradesh has become the number one state in the country in terms of atrocities against Dalits.
In a post on X, the former chief minister alleged that Dalit leaders in the BJP are never given real authority and it is held by a select few.
"UP has become number one in terms of atrocities on Dalits under the BJP government," said Yadav, who also shared a video clip of a news report which claimed that Dalit atrocities in the state were on the rise.
The question is why most of the crimes against Dalits, especially Dalit women, take place in BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Maharashtra, he said.
"The BJP is fundamentally a party of authoritarians and the mindset of its members is deeply feudal in which there is only humiliation and oppression for the poor, marginalised, Dalits, backward classes, minorities, women and tribals," Yadav said.
BJP leaders continue to operate with a pre-independence mentality and are inherently opposed to the Constitution, he charged.
"In both party organisation and government, only a select few hold real power. Others are relegated to menial tasks like carrying banners and flags," he said.
Yadav claimed that Dalits and those from other backward castes may be given symbolic positions in the BJP but they are never entrusted with actual authority.
"Elections are fought in their name but they are not given the chief minister's chair or real leadership roles," the SP leader said.
Yadav urged the Dalit community to reject the BJP.
He said, "Dalits today must say — we do not want the BJP!"
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Thunderstorm hits Lucknow, IMD issues red alert across multiple UP districts
Lucknow: Shortly after the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of severe weather conditions in the region, a sudden thunderstorm hit Lucknow and adjoining districts on Monday morning.
The Indian Express reported that the skies turned dark around 8:45 am as strong winds lashed parts of the city. Incidents of tree falls were reported from several locations, disrupting traffic and normal movement.
The weather department said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely to continue over the next three hours across several districts.
A red alert has been issued for districts including Unnao, Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti and Lakhimpur Kheri, where moderate thunderstorms with hail and strong winds may damage trees, power lines and temporary structures.
An orange alert is in place for Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kanpur Nagar, Ayodhya, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur and Balrampur, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 60 kmph could lead to localised disruptions.
Major parts of the state remains under yellow alert, including districts such as Prayagraj, Agra, Bareilly, Aligarh and Moradabad, where light rain, lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas and trees during lightning, and secure loose objects.
