Bhind, MP: A social media campaign linking Congress Bhind candidate in MP to the last year’s stir by Dalits in Gwalior-Chambal region opposing the move to dilute the Atrocity Act then, has threatened to mar his prospects in the May 12 elections.
Debashis Jararia was facing opposition in areas populated by upper castes in Bhind Lok Sabha constituency after purported videos showing him appealing dalits to lend support to the agitation have gone viral in social media.
Mr Jararia, a law scholar in Delhi University, has launched a campaign in the constituency trying to convince the people that he was a victim of false propaganda run in the social media.
“I was away in Delhi during the period”, he explained.
The agitation had later turned violent leading to death of two people in the region then.
Mr Jararia’s election meeting in Umera village under the constituency last fortnight came under attack allegedly by some local upper caste people. He had to flee the village when unidentified miscreants pelted stones targeting his meeting.
Mr Jararia was also mobbed by irate locals in some villages during his campaign in the area.
Besides the social media campaign against him, Mr Jararia has also been facing dissidence in the local Congress who dubbed him as outsider.
He hailed from neighbouring neighbouring Lok Sabha constituency of Gwalior.
He has joined Congress after quitting BSP a few months ago.
Incidentally, Dalits in the region see in him as an emerging leader of their community.
BJP candidate for Bhind Sandhya Rai, who hailed from neighbouring Morena LS seat, has also been seen as an outsider in the constituency.
But, BJP seems to be banking on charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to retain the seat in the ensuing polls.
