Both Houses of Parliament witnessed repeated adjournments over the caste violence in Maharashtra. The Opposition alleged that the BJP-led government had not been taking any action against the growing incidence of violence against Dalits. The BJP returned fire, saying the Congress was trying to create divisions in the society by instigating violence.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed three adjournments on Wednesday. Both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour did not take place as the Opposition demanded a discussion on the violence in Maharashtra. The House met at 3 pm to discuss the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, but adjourned for the day around 4 pm due to differences between the Opposition and the Centre.

In the Lok Sabha, the Opposition accused the government of inaction and said RSS-sponsored outfits were behind the violence against Dalits. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify his stand on the issue. “The RSS and certain hardcore Hindutva outfits are behind the violence. They are trying to drive a wedge between the Marathas and Dalits in Maharashtra,” Kharge said.

“Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on the issue? He always maintaince silence on issues relating to Dalits. He has become a ‘Mouni Baba’on Dalit issues,” Kharge said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar countered Kharge by accusing the Congress of trying to politicise the issue. “The Congress suffered electoral drubbings in so many States in the recent past, and that is why they want to milk political mileage over the issue,” Kumar alleged.

Congress leader Veerappa Moily told reporters that violence against Dalits had increased since 2014, and that its incidence was greater in BJP-ruled States. He said what is happening in Maharashtra is disturbing and alleged that the perpetrators behind the caste violence were “intimately known” to Prime Minister Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

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