New Delhi, 18 July (H.S.): The Valmiki Dharma Samman Raksha Committee organised a protest demonstration in front of Rajghat on Saturday against alleged objectionable remarks made by Congress spokesperson Deepak Jha against revered saint Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki.

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra participated in the protest and accused the Congress and its spokesperson Deepak Jha of hurting the sentiments of the Valmiki community.

The protest was held under the leadership of Mahamandaleshwar Krishna Shah Vidyarthi Maharaj and was attended by prominent members of the Valmiki and Dalit communities, including Acharya Vivek Muni, Anil Valmiki, Ajay Bhai, Sadhvi Deepti Maharaj, Sadhvi Renuka Jatav, Vishnu Das Maharaj, Prakash Tanwar, Ram Charan Gujarati, Chhatrapal Singh, Sushant Goldy, Rajendra Parcha, Nitin Diman, Sunita Kangra and Karma Singh Karma, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said that the language allegedly used by Congress spokesperson Deepak Jha during a Zee TV debate on July 4 regarding Maharishi Bhagwan Valmiki was not merely an insult to an individual but an attack on the faith of millions of people, their revered figure and the cultural roots of the country.

Malhotra said Maharishi Valmiki does not belong only to one community but is a spiritual guide for the entire nation and humanity. He termed the alleged remarks made during the television debate highly condemnable and demanded an apology from the Congress party.

The Delhi BJP chief alleged that the Congress has a history of remembering the Valmiki and Dalit communities only before elections, organising photo opportunities and making promises, but forgetting them once it comes to power.

He claimed that despite ruling the country for nearly 60 years, the Congress government failed to provide proper housing, clean drinking water and quality education facilities in Valmiki settlements. He also alleged that no special arrangements were made for the children of sanitation workers to access quality education in institutions such as IITs, IIMs and medical colleges.

Malhotra accused the Congress of treating the Valmiki community and Dalits merely as a vote bank. He said the community needs respect, rights, opportunities along with reservation, quality education for children, promotions in government jobs, financial support for entrepreneurship and a sense of dignity.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government removed Article 35A, opening the way for reservation benefits for the Valmiki community in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the Valmiki community is not anyone’s vote bank but an important contributor to nation-building.

Malhotra appealed to people to pledge that they would support those who provide not only temples dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki but also schools and colleges, respect saints and work towards the upliftment of society.

Several other leaders, including VHP Delhi state president Kapil Khanna, Trilokpuri MLA Ravikant Ravi, Delhi BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha president Mohan Lal Gihara, municipal councillor Vikas Tank and NDMC member Anil Kumar, also participated in the peaceful protest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar