Lalu Yadav And The Ambedkar Photograph Controversy: How BJP Turned The ‘Dalit’ Desk In Bihar In 12 Months
Final Up to date:
A viral photograph of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, showing to disrespect a portrait of BR Ambedkar, has sparked outrage amongst Bihar’s SC and ST communities
On RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday, a follower gifted him with a portrait of BR Ambedkar, which he seemingly didn’t acknowledge. (Picture: X)
In politics, per week is a very long time, and a yr looks like a lifetime. It’s no marvel that after final Might’s Lok Sabha election outcomes, when the BJP misplaced 28 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 9 in Bihar, the occasion was uneasy.
A yr in the past, it was grappling with how the slogan ‘400 paar’ had been used towards it by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, RJD, Samajwadi Celebration, and different opposition events. They projected fears of reservation vanishing, which dearly price the BJP.
The SP known as it a triumph of ‘PDA’ (pichda-dalit-adivasi) and the RJD claimed it as Dalits rejecting the Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA). However issues have modified in Bihar, the place an meeting election is scheduled later this yr.
A viral photograph op has considerably shifted the political panorama. On RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav’s birthday, a follower gifted him with a portrait of BR Ambedkar, which he seemingly didn’t acknowledge. The video reveals the previous chief minister of Bihar stretching his legs whereas the portrait is positioned on the chair, showing disrespectful.
Ambedkar is revered by many backward communities in Bihar, the place Scheduled Castes (SC) make up 19.65 per cent and Scheduled Tribes (ST) represent 1.68 per cent of the inhabitants, as per a 2022 caste-based survey. This incident has angered over 20 per cent of Bihar’s inhabitants, presenting a possibility for the BJP simply forward of the elections.
भारत को संविधान देने वाले बाबा साहेब डॉ. भीमराव अंबेडकर जी के अपमान से मन अत्यंत दुखित है।लालू यादव और राजद को न तो बिहार माफ करेगा और न ही देश!- माननीय केन्द्रीय कृषि मंत्री श्री @ChouhanShivraj#BabasahebAmbedkar #DalitVirodhiRJD pic.twitter.com/FPo0YhChV1— BJP Bihar (@BJP4Bihar) June 16, 2025
The BJP deployed its high leaders to capitalise on the incident, together with former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who fastidiously criticised Lalu Prasad with out hurting Bihari delight. He harassed on the disrespect proven to Ambedkar, stating: “I’ve one lament. What has occurred to you, Lalu Yadav ji? All these talks of backwards have been only for pretense? The person who gave us the Structure, who gave us reservation, you’re disrespecting that particular person — Dr BR Ambedkar! My thoughts is troubled. I’m harm. The disrespect proven to his photograph exposes the true intent of Lalu Yadav and the RJD. The elephant has one set of enamel for consuming and one other simply to indicate. Neither Bihar nor India will forgive Lalu ji or RJD ever.”
The Bihar BJP has been vigorously selling this photograph by way of social media, utilizing hashtags like ‘Dalit Virodhi RJD’. On Monday, it tweeted that 5 days had passed by with out an apology from Lalu Yadav, attributing this to his “delight”.
Union Legislation Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who’s from the Dalit group, additionally criticised Lalu Prasad, saying: “One got here with a photograph of Bhimrao Ambedkar and he needed to present him (Lalu Prasad). The physique language of Lalu ji signifies a delight, which was mirrored even in the way in which he was sitting. Now that this matter has change into so large and you’ve got disrespected Babasaheb, however his delight stops him from apologising.”
Meghwal mentioned disrespecting Ambedkar whereas claiming to assist the unprivileged can’t go hand in hand. “Folks of Bihar, within the coming days will educate Lalu ji a lesson,” he added.
Union setting minister Bhupendra Yadav, who was accountable for the BJP’s 2020 Bihar polls, demanded an apology. “Bihar’s citizen hasn’t forgotten the tenure of Lalu ji. Throughout Lalu ji’s reign, probably the most quantity of injustices have been perpetrated towards extraordinarily backwards and Dalits…He’s so submerged in his delight…that scene itself depicts his delight. That’s the reason India’s poor, extraordinarily backwards, those that imagine in social justice, know how Lalu ji saved the photograph close to his leg…it harm me too. I personally suppose he ought to apologise,” he mentioned.
5 days later, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav dismissed the difficulty saying: “This isn’t even a problem. Nobody has insulted anybody…”
The Bihar SC fee, nevertheless, thinks in any other case. It has issued a discover to Lalu Yadav for allegedly insulting Ambedkar on his beginning anniversary, giving him 15 days to reply. Because the BJP goes all out in Bihar, it’s outstanding to see how a lot can change in a yr in Indian politics. An election slogan or a photograph op can certainly be decisive.
Anindya Banerjee, Affiliate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic braveness to the forefront. With a eager give attention to politics and coverage, Anindya has garnered a wealth of expertise, with deep throat in …Learn Extra
Anindya Banerjee, Affiliate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic braveness to the forefront. With a eager give attention to politics and coverage, Anindya has garnered a wealth of expertise, with deep throat in … Learn Extra
- First Printed:
