I am like goddess for underprivileged,' says Maya on protests supporting her
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Thursday criticised the BJP for failing to lodge an FIR against sacked party leader Dayashankar Singh for comparing her to a prostitute.
Hundreds of protesters poured into the streets of Lucknow demanding Dayashankar’s arrest for making derogatory statements against the BSP supremo.
"To the underprivileged I am like a Devi (Goddess). They are angry," said Mayawati while thanking her supporters who took to the streets in a spontaneous show of solidarity.
Read: BSP stalls protests after cops promise expelled BJP leader will be arrested
Mayawati said that just sacking the BJP leader was not enough and he should face arrest for his statements.
“Removing from party is a normal process. It would have been better if they (BJP) had registered an FIR against him. If BJP leaders themselves filed an FIR against Dayashankar Singh, then they would have won my heart,” she said.
BSP activists protest against expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh for his derogatory remarks against BSP chief Mayawati, in Lucknow. (Photo: PTI)
The BJP on Wednesday night removed Singh from the post of Uttar Pradesh unit vice president. BJP state President Keshav Prasad Maurya sacked him from the party, hours after he announced that Singh had been relieved from all organisational responsibilities.
His expulsion from the party will remain in force for six years in line with the party's rules, BJP sources had said.
Singh's remarks drew severe flak from members in Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.
Leader of the House Arun Jaitley had expressed regret, saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati was not convinced and demanded that he be expelled from the party and strong action taken against him.
BSP on Wednesday filed a police complaint seeking lodging of an FIR against BJP leader Dayashankar Singh under the SC/ST Act for his derogatory comments against its president Mayawati.
BSP leaders, led by Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Naseemuddin Siddiqui, submitted the complaint at the Hazratganj Kotwali.
The complaint, which was lodged by national secretary of BSP Mewalal Gautam, alleged that Singh's remarks in Mau earlier in the day have hurt the feelings of BSP workers and the Dalit community across the country and were aimed at provoking them.
Referring to Singh's comments being telecast on national TV channels, he said they were so derogatory that they could not be mentioned in the complaint and so a CD of the same was being submitted.
"Singh was aware that his offensive comments could trigger a strong reaction and riot," the complaint said, adding that this amounted to an offence under the Atrocities Against SC/ST Act 1989 and a case need to be lodged against him.
An FIR has been lodged against Singh under the SC/ST Act and other sections, police said.
