Re: [ZESTCaste] Is caste an economic development vehicle? (Opinion)
Brahmanism' is a state of mind. Its a belief that people are unequal by birth. It emerges from the notions of 'blood-purity', 'racial-purity', nepotism etc. In fact, 'Brahmanism' is not simply restricted to 'racial-purity'; it includes other features as 'male-female inequality', arranged marriages (aka forced marriages), bridal dowry system, child marriages, temple-monarchy, devadasi (religious prostitution), Kulinism etc etc. Of course, many of these practices have been outlawed by the government, yet the beliefs still remain in the mind of the people. People simply cannot forget castes (thus inequality) which has been conditioned in their minds generations after generations since more than thousand years. To illustrate how exactly 'Brahmanism' is a state of mind, you can observe the activities mentioned by yourself. For example, eating food; a Brahmin (one whose mind is staunchly under influence of Brahmanism; in reality it could be a Brahmin, Rajput or whatever hereditary castes) would even include the notions of 'ritual purity', caste-ism etc, while eating. For him/her, his/her food would be the most purest, and what others eat is a lesser food (Tamasic perhaps). He/she wouldn't eat the food from the plate of someone whom he/she considers to be lower in religious status (Caste), nor would he ever allow his food to go to the other's plate. Another example is visiting the doctor, that you gave. A Brahmin would rather be more curious of the caste of the doctor before visiting him. And there are many such examples. Simply learning Sanskrit and reading Vedas doesn't mean Brahmanism. Real Brahmanism is deep inside the mind and may not manifest itself in activities distinctly. Max Mueller knew Sanskrit; was he Brahmin then? No, because his state of mind was different. As a matter of fact, many Brahmins themselves violate many of the requirements of a Brahmin as in the scriptures; but they might still remain Brahmins because whatever activity they do would still be done with that state of mind. On the other hand, there are Brahmins who do read Vedas and pray to God, but do not believe in inequality and other orthodox notions of Hinduism; they are just Brahmins without the Brahmanic state of mind. That is why I say Brahmanism is a state of mind and it can manifest in any activity one does. All one requires is to think in this state. --- On Sat, 7/2/09, C Ramesh ramesh_del...@yahoo.co.in wrote: From: C Ramesh ramesh_del...@yahoo.co.in Subject: Re: [ZESTCaste] Is caste an economic development vehicle? (Opinion) To: ZESTCaste@yahoogroups.com Date: Saturday, 7 February, 2009, 6:50 AM Sorry can't understand the 'brahminisation/ brahminism' concept. Sleeping, brushing teeth, toilet activities, having children, bringing them up, sending children to school, earning a livelihood, reading newspapers/books, browsing internet, writing letters, eating food, watching TV, helping children in their studies, buying things from own money, driving car/scooter, attending to old parents, visiting temple, visiting the doctor when ill etc if these are 'brahminism/ brahminical' activities, I am very happy doing them. There is no law against these activities. The day the government outlaws such activities, I shall stop indulging in them. Similarly 'sanskritisation' . Can't understand what it means. If it means learning 'sanskrit', I am not aware that it has been outlawed. In any case I am not learning sanskrit and I don't know sanskrit, except perhaps a few words learnt more than 30 yrs ago. I am fairly good at Hindi, but read or write Hindi only when necessary. (I hope it is not brahminisation) . Once or twice I have heard news being read in sanskrit on Govt radio. Couldn't understand anything. My father is 74 and has very good command of sanskrit. He teaches my son sanskrit because it is a subject at school as prescribed by the Government of India. Whether it is 'sanskritisation' I do not know. My wife is 38 and is continuing to acquire educational degrees thru distance education and she has recently enrolled for the MLIS course. She is a good student, while I am not so good. I hope that is not 'brahminisation' .. In short, myself and people in my family do and will continue to do whatever is permitted by law and the constitution of India and generally done by human beings all over the world. And my motto in life is live and let live. With best regards and good wishes to all those who are promoting peace, amity and goodwill in the society. ---
[ZESTCaste] 7% quota for Brahmins urged
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=7%+quota+for+Brahmins+urgedartid=SfQr8%7CAbOBo=SectionID=vBlkz7JCFvA=MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==SEO= 7% quota for Brahmins urged Express News Service First Published : 08 Feb 2009 01:49:00 AM IST Last Updated : 08 Feb 2009 10:51:54 AM IST CHENNAI: Federation of Brahmin Associations of South India (FEBAS) on Saturday urged Chief Minister Karunanidhi to implement 7 per cent reservation in the educational institutions and jobs in the State government. At its founding meeting of the FEBAS at the Narada Gana Sabha here, founder leader S Ve Shekher read out the resolution demanding the reservation and was cheered and supported by one and all present in the hall. The AIADMK legislator, who is reportedly ignored by his party general secretary Jayalalithaa recently, in his opening speech said the FEBAS was not affiliated to any political organisation. ``It is not founded with a view to oppose other Brahmin organizations either'' he told the gathering. It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association has opposed to the formation the Federation by the Mylapore MLA. He said as a result of the social justice movement led by Thanthai Periyar, the backward and oppressed sections of the society enjoy 69 per cent reservation now. ``Brahmins have never been stumbling blocks in their path to progress. At the same time, the Brahmin Community believes in Periyar's philosophy that every caste should get its due share proportionate to the population,'' he said. Shekher, who has reportedly approached BSP, said a majority of the Brahmins in the state were struggling to make both ends meet. feedb...@epmltd.com At its founding meeting of the FEBAS at the Narada Gana Sabha here, founder leader S Ve Shekher read out the resolution demanding the reservation and was cheered and supported by one and all present in the hall. The AIADMK legislator, who is reportedly ignored by his party general secretary Jayalalithaa recently, in his opening speech said the FEBAS was not affiliated to any political organisation. ``It is not founded with a view to oppose other Brahmin organizations either'' he told the gathering. It may be recalled that the Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association has opposed to the formation the Federation by the Mylapore MLA. He said as a result of the social justice movement led by Thanthai Periyar, the backward and oppressed sections of the society enjoy 69 per cent reservation now. ``Brahmins have never been stumbling blocks in their path to progress. At the same time, the Brahmin Community believes in Periyar's philosophy that every caste should get its due share proportionate to the population,'' he said. Shekher, who has reportedly approached BSP, said a majority of the Brahmins in the state were struggling to make both ends meet. feedb...@epmltd.com
[ZESTCaste] Dalits celebrate graduation day a la Blacks in US
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Dalits+celebrate+graduation+day+a+la+Blacks+in+USartid=PfHK06qg7C0=SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=SEO=Black%20,Graduation%20,Day, Dalits celebrate graduation day a la Blacks in US Pradeep Kumar First Published : 08 Feb 2009 01:46:00 AM IST Last Updated : 08 Feb 2009 09:29:39 AM IST CHENNAI: It was celebration time for some 500 Dalits, as they gathered at an auditorium here on Saturday to recognise the academic achievements of the community's youth. Organised on the lines of 'Black Graduation Day' in universities in the United States, the 'Dalit graduation celebration' turned out to be an occasion to mark the triumph of the spirit and body over the forces of injustice. Unlike the usual solemn ceremony, the proceedings began with drummers and dancers of the community setting the audience pulses racing with their rhythmic beats and synchronised steps. The performers also enacted the self-immolation of Muthukumar for the Lankan Tamils cause. They chanted Veeravanakkam and condemned the Lankan army for the killing of Eelam Tamil civilians. A few achievers narrated the hardships in reaching the top. A revenue official Nandakumar described his transformation from a lottery ticket vendor, a part-time mechanic to his present status. World carrom champion Ilamvazhuthi recalled the sacrifices of her parents and the help rendered by Christudas Gandhi, secretary, youth and sports affairs. P Dayanandan said the function was aimed at announcing to the world that learning had further empowered Dalits. Clad in a blue gown with a golden border, the young achievers accepted degrees from Right to Livelihood award winner and social activist Ruth Manorama and Dr Christudas Gandhi.
[ZESTCaste] Brahmins up in arms against Basavaraju
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title='Brahmins%20hurt%20by%20remarks'artid=VUN1KQYaUhI=SectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==SEO=Ahkila%20Karanataka%20Brahmana%20Mahasabha;%20Mysore%20;%20Fed Brahmins up in arms against Basavaraju Express News Service First Published : 08 Feb 2009 04:44:00 AM IST Last Updated : 08 Feb 2009 03:32:05 PM IST MYSORE: The Ahkila Karanataka Brahmana Mahasabha, Mysore unit and Federation of Vipra Sangha have strongly condemned the remarks made by L Basavaraju, during his inaugural speech at the 75th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Chitradurga. Addressing the presspersons, Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha, Mysore district head K Raghuram said that the Brahmin community was deeply hurt by L Basavaraju's remarks made during the inauguration of the Kannada Sahitya Sammelan. Being one of the most respected persons, he should'nt have spoken ill about the Brahmin community and various mutts. The community which has become a minority group in the state has been surviving with great difficulty. Raghuram said that Basavaraju has tried to ignite differences between Brahmin and Jain community and also disrespect to various mutts. The Federation of Vipra Sangha and Ahkila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha have decided to stage a dharna infront of Basavaraju's house soon after his return from Chitradurga. They have also urged Basavaraju to apologise for his outbursts against the community and mutts. Sangha members K N Vinaykumar and M S Ajay Rao were present on the occasion.
[ZESTCaste] More grants for dalits sought
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=More+grants+for+dalits+soughtartid=KRk7ZpbWxjE=SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==SEO= More grants for dalits sought Express News Service First Published : 08 Feb 2009 04:45:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 08 Feb 2009 02:36:33 PM ISTMYSORE: The Karanataka State Dalit Sangarsha Samiti (KSDSS) has urged Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to allocate more funds for the welfare of dalits in the coming state budget. In a press release, Samiti's convener Ningaraj Malladi alleged that the successive governments had failed to improve the living condition of dalits. Dalits have been victimised over the years. Social evils such as discrimination, bonded labour and devadasi system are still prevalent and the community people are being exploited by the upper castes people. Dalits are being ignored by various banks, who often refuse to grant loans to them, he said, and accused the previous government of using them for winning elections and turning a blind eye towards their problems. He urged the chief minister to allocate more funds for their and reserve Rs 50 crore for the construction of the proposed Dr B R Ambedkar Bhavan and Babu Jagajeevan Ram Bhavan in the budget.
[ZESTCaste] BURN THE BILL
Dear Br Ashok, How do you do? Congratulations for this action. I wish you and your organization get fruitful results out of it. Is there any agitation for Universal free and compulsory elementary education, especially for Dalits? I wish Dalit organizations show more interest in getting good education with well equipped school infrastructure at the elementary level in ever Dalit ghetto. I feel, if we get proper education from the start, we do not beg for any soaps from the uninterested and promises-for-the-sake-of-votes governments. This road is more arduous, but there is no better strategy than traveling through it. Though sounding controversial, I ask, “How many of these Dalits availing reservations and enjoying life competing with other influential castes are helping their own people? And to what extent?” I strongly believe that right kind of free and compulsory education for all is the only way to uplift Dalit and other marginalized communities of all walks of like. If we go on harping on only reservations, the powers-that-be will always find holes to avoid acting on any legislation or implement it half-heartedly. We know what happened to the much-touted reservations in private sector by the congress at the time of elections. I do not expect any better results from any government as far as they do not believe in social justice. Hope, some country wide agitation will be taken up by Dalit organizations for improvement of elementary school education. We are the losers and we need to be at the forefront, I feel. Thanks Benjamin -- From: NACDOR nac...@gmail. com Date: 2009/2/6 Subject: BURN THE BILL Dear Brothers and Sisters, Jai Bheem ! Dharna and protest march at Parliament on 4th February was a success. About one hundred people from all over Delhi participated in the Dharna and submitted a memorandum. National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) discussed this issue in great detail and has taken lead to see that this bill is opposed and suitable amendments are made so that this bill truly become THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES (RESERVATION IN POSTS AND SERVICES) BILL 2008. NACDOR has given call to all Dalit Organisations across the country to BURN THE BILL on 12th February 2009 for the following reasons: Clause 2 (j): Definition of 'Scientific and Technical Post', which include post for which qualifications in natural sciences or exact sciences or behavioural sciences or applied sciences or technology are essential and use of scuh knowledge is essential in performing the duties. This clause essentially restricts the entry of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under medical, para-medical, engineering, emerging new areas of genetic, bio-technology, nano-technology, particle sciences or knowledge based industry. Clause 4 (1) restricting rights of reservation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in posts higher than the lowest grade of A, which means that in any recruitment of posts higher than the lowest scale of A, would be out of the reach to the Dalits and hence upwards job mobility of the Dalits outside his/her parent organisation would be impossible. Clause 4(1) restricts the entry of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Scientific and Technical Posts higher than the lowest level of grade A. This restriction is far reaching and practically ban us from decision making posts in Scientific and Technical domain of India. Clause 4(1) restricts our entry in minimum 47 institutes at a level higher than the lowest level of grade A. This is particularly important to understand that it is not about teaching but also all other posts. These institutes include all IIMs, IITs, IIScs, IIITs, NIT (earlier regional engineering college) etc. But definition given in clause 2(j) is far reaching and restricts our entry heavily in science and technology field. This bill has not provided any penalty to those who violate this law. This law is ambiguous in many ways. There are few good things as well. For example, it provide constitutional backing to the reservation and hence we can seek remedy in the court. However, this Act fundamentally attack the unrestricted entry of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and hence OBCs as well. Therefore, in order to draw the attention of the Government and passing of this bill in current formats is against the interest of our people and we must BURN THIS BILL. People from Chandigarh, Patiala (Punjab), Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur-Kheri, Allahabad, Mau, Pratapgarh, Gazipur (All Uttar Pradesh), Sagar, Rewa, Satna (Madhya Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra) , Haridwar (Uttarakhand) , Sasaram, Nalanda, Patna, Navada (All BIhar), Ambala and Kaithal (Haryana) have cofirmed the BURNING OF THE BILL on 12th February 2009. Please keep up the spirit high and BURN THE BILL on 12th February 2009. We look forward to hear from other parts of the country as well. Warmly Ashok Bharti -- National Confederation of Dalit
[ZESTCaste] ‘Mayawati just doesn’t have it’
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=NLetterid=df844eaa-b9b9-4810-b0cd-84897040064cHeadline=%e2%80%98Mayawati+just+doesn%e2%80%99t+have+it%e2%80%99 'Mayawati just doesn't have it' Mayank Austen Soofi, Hindustan Times February 08, 2009 First Published: 12:12 IST(8/2/2009) Last Updated: 12:14 IST(8/2/2009) When she was in the 10th standard, she wanted to be an air hostess. Now she is in the 12th, and wants to be an IAS officer. Neeta Vaid 18 Education: Presently in class 12 On Mayawati: Has reduced us to just being Dalit Air hostesses have to bend their back for other people, says Neeta Vaid, but district magistrates make other people bend towards them. For someone whose father is a driver and mother a sweeper, this back-bending business certifies honour, prestige and power. If you become successful and commanding, no one will ask about your background, Vaid says. While no one in her relations has risen to such heights, Vaid is expected to make the breakthrough. Papa wants her to be an IAS officer and mummy thinks she can do it. The girl's life now completely revolves around 'Mission IAS'. She has grown so obsessed with my father's dream that her favourite teacher is not her favourite merely because she teaches well, but also because her husband happens to be an IAS officer. All sacrifices seem to be worth it. Reading may not always be fun but if that cracks the code, so be it. I don't read for enjoyment but for gaining knowledge, she says. I regularly read the Time magazine. Since this weekly American magazine is priced at Rs 100, Vaid has to go to a library, which is a 5-minute walk away from home, and she ends up spending around three hours there everyday. Indeed, her every hour is carefully scheduled. There seems to be no carefree moment. When out, she is either at the school or in the library. If at home, she's most probably watching NDTV 24/7. So that I can learn to speak English better. To her, it is important how people talk and carry themselves. That's why Vaid, who will turn 18 this April, doesn't plan to vote for Mayawati, the self-proclaimed leader of her people, in the coming Lok Sabha elections. I'm put off by her way of dressing and especially the way she talks, Vaid says. Mayawati just doesn't have it. Instead she is most likely to cast the first vote of her life to Rahul Gandhi. When you look at him, you think he can do something for young people like us, she observes, while if Mayawati becomes the prime minister, we would most likely have Delhi invaded by cows and buffaloes from the countryside. There is another reason why Mayawati must count out Vaid from her scheme of things. Mayawati just talks Dalit, Dalit, Dalit and that reduces us to being just that, she says, but hello, we are also Hindus, we are also Indians.
[ZESTCaste] Shalinitai summoned for derogatory remarks against Dr Ambedkar
http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/497027/National/1/20/1 Shalinitai summoned for derogatory remarks against Dr Ambedkar Published: February 7,2009 Aurangabad , Feb 7 A local court here has summoned the founder of Kranti Sena and MLA Shalinitai Patil asking her to reply in person about her alleged derogatory remarks against Dr B R Ambedkar. Shalinitai, wife of former chief minister Vasantdada Patil, had on December 2, 2008 addressing a rally here had said that the caste based reservation and Atrocity Act should be abolished. A social activist filed a petition against her saying her statements hurt the religious sentiments of Buddhist community and were derogatory against Dr Ambedkar. Source: PTI
[ZESTCaste] HC grills DDA for allotting flats to SC/STs from other states
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/HC_grills_DDA_on_allotment_scam/rssarticleshow/4098902.cms HC grills DDA for allotting flats to SC/STs from other states 9 Feb 2009, 1417 hrs IST, PTI NEW DELHI: The DDA on Monday faced some tough questions in the Delhi High Court which sought an explanation from it for allotment of flats, meant for the reserved category, to SC/ST applicants from other states. A bench headed by Chief Justice AP Shah directed the housing body to clarify how SC/STs from the neighbouring states were allotted flats by it in a draw held in December last year. The court asked the counsel appearing for DDA to give the break-up on how many SC/ST applicants belonging to Delhi and other states was allotted flats in the draw. The bench passed the order on a petition filed by Prem Chand alleging that the housing body had illegally allowed applicants under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category from other states to participate in the draw. Chand, who failed to get a flat in the draw, alleged that under the DDA Act the housing body is not entitled to accept applications from residents of states other than Delhi. The DDA's draw for allotment of 5,000 flats had run into a controversy as a complaint was registered alleging irregularities in the draw. The economic offence wing of Delhi police's crime branch is investigating the matter. Seven persons, including Laxmi Narayan Meena, a former SBI employee, have been booked by the police.
[ZESTCaste] BSP to woo Brahmins in Amethi
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bsp-to-woo-brahmins-in-amethi/421016/ BSP to woo Brahmins in Amethi Sanjay Singh Posted online: Feb 09, 2009 at 0212 hrs Lucknow : In a bid to make a dent in the Brahmin votebank of the Congress in Amethi, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will begin to mobilise Brahmin voters from the constituency on Monday. At present, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi represents the seat in the Parliament. Chief Minister Mayawati has asked the functionaries of the party's Brahmin Bhaichara Samitis to complete its meetings before the announcement of dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BSP candidate from Amethi, Ashish Shukla, said: The party's Brahmin Samaj leadership has selected Amethi as the first spot to begin mobilisation of Brahmin votes. The party's Brahmin face, Satish Chandra Mishra, will be the chief guest on Monday's meeting. According to sources in the BSP, the party's strategy is to keep its votes intact, as its candidates in the last Assembly elections had performed well in the five constituencies that come under the Amethi seat. The party had bagged around 1.70 lakh votes in the last Assembly elections. So, Amethi is an important constituency for us, said a source. A few, however, contended that it was not necessary that the strategy of the Assembly election will also work in the Lok Sabha polls. Rahul Gandhi's personality will become a major issue in the Lok Sabha elections. The BSP's efforts are to continue the trend that had worked in its favour in the last Assembly elections. Though the party had given tickets to Brahmin candidates in Amethi, it could get only one MLA elected from Gauriganj, said a party leader. The party's Brahmin Sammelan in Amethi has also gained political significance, as it will be the BSP's first show after the controversy over land allotment for the rail coach factory in Rae Bareli. This will help Mayawati to understand her party's political base in Amethi, the leader added. If the BSP is successful in holding an impressive meeting in Amethi, Dalits will automatically start supporting the party, another leader said. Moreover, Brahmins traditionally vote for the Congress. If they turn up in a large number at the meeting, it will send a strong signal among the Brahmins across the state, he added. The Congress leadership has already undertaken special efforts to stop Dalit voters from being influenced by the Maya factor. Besides Rahul Gandhi's visit to Dalit houses, the party has also accommodated Dalits in its local organisations. The Congress has selected most of its Samuh Prabhari from the Scheduled Caste community to stop the BSP from making inroads into the Congress' Dalit vote bank, a source in the Congress Party said. He added: Rahul's team at the village level is full of Dalits. In every village, the party has selected one person as Samuh Prabhari. His task is to help a group of 10 families in the village. UP Cong workers asked to stay back in Delhi Around 900 Congress workers from Uttar Pradesh, including district presidents and block in-charges, were asked to stay for another day after the party's national convention concluded in Delhi on Sunday. Reason: to participate in discussions on the Lok Sabha elections and the future of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. All India Congress Committee General Secretary Digvijay Singh, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Congress Legislative Party leader Pramod Tiwari and Rahul Gandhi are expected to participate in the meeting. Those representatives from UP, who got a chance to speak at the party convention, indicated they will like the party to go it alone in the Lok Sabha election, rather than enter into an alliance. We made it clear that we are not in favour of an alliance. We have been told that Rahul will personally meet us and give us a patient hearing, said a worker. — ENS INFORMATION OVERLOAD? Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to zestmedia-dig...@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/ PARTICIPATE:- On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:- If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to zestcaste-subscr...@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/ Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ * Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional * To change settings online go to:
[ZESTCaste] Maya berates BJP for reviving Ayodhya chant
http://www.samaylive.com/news/maya-berates-bjp-for-reviving-ayodhya-chant/607503.html Maya berates BJP for reviving Ayodhya chant Published: Sun, 08 Feb 2009 at 22:44 IST Lucknow: Slamming the BJP for reigniting the Ayodhya issue, the Bahujan Samaj Party today dubbed the move as an election gimmick saying the saffron outfit thinks of Ram temple only when elections are round the corner. The BJP thinks of Ram temple only when polls are around. But, the public knows about its real face. Even saints are ridiculing the party, BSP supremo Mayawati said. In a statement here, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister described BJP's move as an election gimmick. At its Nagpur conclave, the BJP yesterday revived the Ayodhya chant saying it would build a magnificent temple for Lord Rama if it was voted to power at the Centre. Referring to the new-found bonhomie between Mulayam Singh Yadav and former BJP leader Kalyan Singh, Mayawati said the Samajwadi Party chief is today holding the hand of the person (Kalyan) responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The statement also flayed the Congress saying it was equally responsible for razing of the mosque as it was in power at the Centre when the incident happened. There is no difference between BJP, SP and Congress, the BSP president said. Just by simply criticising the BJP in the media, the Congress cannot shrug off its responsibility, Mayawati said. Posing a question to the BJP, she asked what steps it had taken for construction of the Ram temple when it was in power at the Centre.
