Amit Shah's barb at Rahul Gandhi over SC/ST Act

New Delhi, Aug 9 Accusing the Congress of double standard, Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on Thursday criticised Congress President Rahul Gandhi for participating in a protest over Scheduled Caste/Schedule Tribe Atrocities Bill while the party has been "disparaging" the Dalits. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 6 upsetting the Supreme Court ruling in March.

Shah, in a series of tweets, propelled a scathing assault on the Congress President and insulting him for his much discussed "hug and wink" gesture in the Parliament.

"Rahul Ji, when you are free from winking and disturbing Parliament, give some time to facts as well. NDA Government, through a Cabinet choice and in Parliament guaranteed the most grounded revision to the Act. For what reason are you dissenting that?" Shah tweeted. He additionally hammered the Congress Party for their treatment towards Dalits, and named it "patronising and condescending."

"Would have been good if Congress President would host talked about his party's treatment towards Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Sitaram Kesari. Congress' method for treating Dalits is disparaging and stooping. For a considerable length of time Congress offended Dalit goals," Shah included.

Calling out United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her abhorrence for booking for Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe before Rahul Gandhi turned into the President of the Congress party, Shah blamed the Congress for opposing an extreme Act. He stated: "Is it a fortuitous event that the year Mrs. Sonia Gandhi joined the Congress, the Third Front-Congress Government contradicted reservations in advancements and the year Rahul Gandhi progresses toward becoming Congress President they restrict an extreme SC/SCT Act and OBC Commission! Hostile to in reverse mentality obvious."

Recalling former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Shah blamed him for contradicting the Mandal Commission's report which prescribed booking for the Other Backward Classes (OBC). "Mr. Rahul Gandhi, expecting examination and trustworthiness is troublesome from you yet do read Mr. Rajiv Gandhi's discourse amid Mandal when he restricted it tooth and nail. The feeling of privilege and disdain for in reverse networks turns out so plainly. Furthermore, today you discuss Dalit welfare!" Shah tweeted.

He further blamed the Congress of insulting Dalit leaders, and restricting the proposals of Mandal Commission, and stacked acclaims on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guaranteeing most grounded revisions to the SC/ST Act. He tweeted: "PM Narendra Modi's heritage - most grounded revisions to SC/ST Act, OBC Commission, Panchteerth and that's only the tip of the iceberg. Congress inheritance - affront Dalit leaders, Dalit pride, contradict Mandal and square OBC Commission."

Even after the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018 was passed in Lok Sabha on Monday the Congress charged that the administration has now passed the bill contemplating one year from now's Lok Sabha elections.

The Apex Court, in its March 20 ruling, banned prompt captures in cases enlisted under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Later, the Centre filed a review petition against the ruling, which went futile as the best court declined to remain its request and requested that all parties to submit detailed replies.