VK Singh dog remark: BJP backs him as opposition demands his ouster

New Delhi: The BJP stood by Union minister VK Singh even as opposition parties demanded his ouster for his 'dog' remarks in relation to the attack on a dalit family in Faridabad, in which two children have been killed. The BJP has said the controversy should not been blown out of proportion as Singh had condemned the incident and also issued a clarification on his remarks.

"As far as statement of the minister V K Singh ji is concerned, he has himself given a clarification of the same. He has said he was misquoted. He never meant what was in fact showed in the media. He really condemns the incident, which happened in Faridabad... I think we should not blow the whole thing out of proportion," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

Attempting to shield the Centre from criticism for the attack on the dalit family in Faridabad, singh had remarked that the Centre cannot be blamed if someone throws a stone at a dog. He had later clarified in a tweet, saying he had not meant to build an analogy that equated the victims of the Faridabad attack with dogs.

However, the opposition was in mood to relent. A number of parties called for Singh to be removed from the Union Cabinet and demanded that a case be filed against him under the stringent SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

"It is condemnable, it is shocking, it is inhumane to say the least. General VK Singh has insulted not only the entire Dalit community of this country but all Indians. It reflects the mindset of the Modi government which insults Dalits, which insults the minorities and looks down upon the people who are poor and downtrodden," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, demanding Singh's ouster from the Cabinet.

CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat described Singh's remarks as "arrogance of casteism" and demanded registration of a criminal case against him. "How can such a man remain in the Central Cabinet. Of course, we all know that Modiji at one time had talked about puppies in relation to a particular community. But at least now that he is Prime Minister, hopefully he will get over his own prejudices and take action against his person," she said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called Singh's statement "shameful" and that it was prosecutable under SC/ST Act. "A case should be registered against him immediately," he said. However, the BJP hit back, asking Kejriwal to focus on governing the state where he had been given a mandate instead of "interfering" in other matters.

The CPI said Singh's remarks are "visible signs of emergence of cultural fascism" in the country under Narendra Modi regime.

Criticism came from within the NDA too. "I don't descend to such low level in my speeches. I have never done so with any issue," said Paswan, a Union minister and dalit leader from Bihar. "I am completely against any attempt to divide the society. I believe there should be no politicking over such things," he added.