Prakash Ambedkar alleges possibility of Godhra, Manipur-like riots in country after Deepavali

Claiming that an explosive political situation would prevail in the country after Deepavali, VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar on Friday, in a thinly-veiled attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed the possibility of riots akin to Godhra and Manipur taking place in the country after the festive season in the run-up to the 2024 election.The VBA chief, who is the grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, reiterated his claim of disturbances being deliberately staged near five of the most important temples in the country belonging to the Hindu faith.

“The security of these temples must be entrusted to the Indian Army. I appeal to people to remain calm, not fall prey to divisive rumours or react to the explosive situation that surely will prevail in the country after the Deepavali festivities,” said Mr. Ambedkar, speaking in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad).He further said that the whole country was moving towards a riot-like situation akin to the Godhra riots and the present turmoil in Manipur.

Mr. Ambedkar, who is allied with Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in the State, has made similar claims earlier this month when he remarked a fortnight ago that the BJP and its parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were allegedly “plotting a carnage” to murder Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis to win the 2024 election.The VBA chief had said the security of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya should be given to the NSG and Z-plus security should be provided to devotees travelling for the inauguration.Ambedkar’s ally, Mr. Thackeray, too, had expressed earlier this month that an incident similar to the 2002 Godhra riots might recur soon after the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The Sena (UBT) chief’s remark had drawn fierce criticism from the BJP leadership.