Accusing the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of promoting discrimination against Dalits, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that even eight decades after independence, caste discrimination persists in the country, and until the large population of the nation receives the right to equality and belonging, the objective of national unity cannot be fulfilled.

Addressing an event organized at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on the occasion of the 139th birth anniversary of Bihar Kesari Dr. Srikrishna Singh, Mr. Kharge said that the BJP and RSS are supporters of untouchability, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also does not want an improvement in the condition of Dalits. Mentioning his Haldwani visit, he alleged that after his public rally at Ramlila Maidan there on 8 August 2026, people associated with the BJP and RSS purified the stage where his program was held by performing a havan. He said that in this matter, BJP President J.P. Nadda expressed regret in Parliament, but no action was taken. On the contrary, an FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister talks big about the Constitution, but provides protection to those with a casteist mindset.

The Congress President said that Srikrishna Singh was among the leaders who strengthened the foundation of democracy in modern Bihar. He started a new chapter of social justice by abolishing the zamindari system and making efforts to uplift the weaker sections. His contribution to the development of agriculture, industry, education, irrigation, and institutions is unforgettable. He said that the first Congress government was formed in Bihar under the leadership of Srikrishna Singh in 1937, and the second government was established in 1946. At that time, the British ruled, and the Chief Minister was called the Premier. Following the first assembly elections held under the Constitution in 1952, Shri Babu remained the Chief Minister of Bihar until 31 January 1961.

Mr. Kharge said that during Shri Babu's tenure, laws related to the abolition of zamindari and land reforms were enacted. Industrial projects such as the Barauni Oil Refinery, fertilizer factories, thermal power plants, and the Sindri Fertilizer Factory gained momentum. The first rail-cum-road Rajendra Setu was also among the significant achievements of his tenure. Several projects from his tenure exist in Jharkhand today as well. He stated that during that era, Bihar was counted among the well-administered states of the country, and several foreign economists had also praised it.

The Congress President said that despite opposition from influential landlords of his own caste, Shri Babu took steps toward the abolition of zamindari and land reforms. He gave momentum to industrial development in Bihar, established educational institutions, and laid the foundation for irrigation facilities. Opposing communalism, Shri Babu had made it clear that whether it comes from Hindus or Muslims, both are dangerous to the development of Bihar.

Referring to Shri Babu's anti-communal stance, Mr. Kharge said that after independence, the country faced several serious challenges, including food grain shortages. Even at that time, the RSS and other communal forces were engaged in instigating riots, but Shri Babu firmly countered them. In 1950, he stated that Bihar had witnessed extraordinary communal peace in recent years and that extremist communalism with a fascist mindset had emerged. Whenever communalism from any side, Hindu or Muslim, challenged the principles of secular democracy and human dignity, it was strictly restrained.

The Congress President said that Shri Babu launched a campaign against caste-based discrimination and played an important role in ending the ban imposed on the entry of Dalits and underprivileged sections into the famous Baba Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar. In 1953, despite fierce opposition, he reached the temple with hundreds of people and secured entry for Dalits. Mr. Kharge said that even today, people with a caste-based discriminatory and anti-constitutional mindset are present in the BJP and RSS. He appealed to the people and conscious citizens of Bihar to come forward to eradicate the mindset of untouchability from its roots. He said that only after ending this social ill will the path to peace and progress in the country be paved. Untouchability is also a major obstacle to the unity of Hindu society, and for this reason, many people convert to other religions. He alleged that the RSS intimidates people, but does not make serious efforts to end untouchability.