Riots occur when country’s leadership is weak and selfish: Saamna editorial

The editorial further question what Prime Minister Modi was doing when some elements were attempting to divide the country along caste lines.

Two days after the Dalit agitation protesting against the changes in the SC/ST act took place countrywide, BJP’s ally in the centre as well as state government-Shivsena in its mouthpiece Saamna has launched a scathing attack on Modi government. The editorial in the mouthpiece also questioned the silence of the leadership in light of the violent Dalit protests across the country.

The editorial in Saamna said, “Riots occur in the country when the leadership is weak or selfish.” In a scathing attack, the editorial further question what Prime Minister Modi was doing when some elements were attempting to divide the country along caste lines. The Saamna editorial said,” The country was divided on the basis of religion once, now attempts are being made to break the country on caste basis.”

Referring to the nationwide protests by Dalit organizations seeking the cancellation of amendments brought to the SC/ST act, the editorial said that the misuse of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act should be curbed. It further said, ” You can hold protest marches in the country. However, taking it to the street and vandalising public property against the Supreme Court order would not have been approved by Dr Ambedkar himself, said Saamna. He termed the creating riot to win an election is a ‘political corruption’.

Invoking the Babri mosque case, the Saamna editorial said that almost twenty-five hear ago many karsevaks died for the Ram Mandir. “People thought after Modi gaining power, he will do something about it. But nothing has been done yet,” it said. The editorial also expressed concern over changing political scenarios in the country. It said that the country’s politics is at a very dangerous stage.” Politics of hatred cannot unify the country, ” Saamna said.