A controversy erupted on Wednesday when Bhudeo Choudhary, the son of freedom fighter and Dalit icon Jaglal Chowdhury, accused organisers of not giving him the respect he deserved at an event marking his father's birth anniversary. The event, atteted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, sparked afresh row after Bhudeo Choudhary claimed he was denied the opportunity to meet the Congress leader and was treated disrespectfully.
In response to the allegation, Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh clarified that the event was organised by an NGO, and therole of Congress was simply that of a facilitator. He condemned the disrespet shown to Bhudeo Choudhary, stating, "I have also come to know that Bhudeo Choudhary, son of Dalit icon Jaglal Choudhary, was not given due respect at today's function. I condemn it. He should have been given due respect. But, let me make it very clear that the event was organised by an NGO and the role of Bihar Congress was just a facilitator. Anyway, I will meet Bhudeo Choudhary at the BPCC office on Thursday."
Bhudeo Choudhary, speaking to the media, expressed his dismay: "I wanted to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the dais...but I was not allowed by the security personnel. I felt very bad that I was not given due respect at the function organised on my father's birth anniversary."
Reacting to the incident, Bihar BJP leader Neeraj Kumar claimed that the situation exposed the Congress leaders' true attitude towards Dalits.
During his speech at the event, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Constitution was under attack by the BJP-RSS combine, which he claimed was trying to deceive people with superficial gestures of respect towards Dalit icons like B.R. Ambedkar. Gandhi stressed the importance of ensuring better "bhagidari" (participation) for Dalits, tribals, and OBCs in all sectors of society, emphasising that mere political representation was not sufficient.
"I want to see the day when Dalits, tribals and backwards become leaders, not just foot soldiers, in bureaucracy and the private sector,” he said. Holding up a pocket-size edition of the Constitution, Gandhi stated, "As long as this is in force, Dalits and other deprived sections of society can hope for a better life. The BJP-RSS knows this, so they attack the Constitution, but not overtly."