Patna (Bihar) [India], June 17: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a sharp attack against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, accusing him of disrespecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during his 78th birthday celebrations. The controversy centers around a video showing Yadav cutting a birthday cake with a sword, which BJP leaders claim symbolizes disregard for democratic values and Ambedkar’s legacy.
In Patna, the BJP has put up posters demanding an apology from both Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav. The posters read: “7 din hone ko hai, kab maafi maangoge Lalu Yadav aur Tejashwi Yadav?” (It’s been nearly 7 days—when will you apologise, Lalu Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav?).
Union Minister Giriraj Singh joined the chorus of criticism on Monday, calling Yadav’s actions an insult to Dalits. “He must apologise to the Dalits of the country… not just an apology — he should go to the banks of the Ganga and repent for his actions,” Singh said.
Echoing the sentiment, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary accused Lalu Prasad of arrogance and disrespect toward Ambedkar’s legacy. “No one has ever seen a leader as arrogant as Lalu Yadav. If he or his workers disrespect Babasaheb Ambedkar, they must apologise,” Choudhary stated.
In response, Tejashwi Yadav strongly defended his father and accused the BJP of politicising the issue. He alleged that the BJP has no real connection to Ambedkar’s ideals, the Constitution, or reservation policies. “These people only spread lies. Lalu Yadav has installed countless statues of Babasaheb in Bihar. We believe in his ideology,” Tejashwi said.
Highlighting his father’s work ethic and health, Tejashwi added, “Lalu Yadav, even at 78 and in poor health, works 10 hours a day and meets people. Yet they accuse him of such things.”
The political row comes amid growing tensions between Bihar’s ruling alliances, with both the BJP and RJD vying to claim the Ambedkar legacy as part of their outreach to Dalit voters.
Tags: Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, BJP vs RJD, Ambedkar controversy, sword cake cutting, Giriraj Singh, Samrat Choudhary, Dalit politics, Bihar politics, BR Ambedkar, Constitution, reservation, political posters, RJD defense, BJP accusations