Ambedkar poster: UP SC/ST panel orders FIR against SP

Lucknow: A day after the Uttar Pradesh Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission took suo motu cognizance of a controversial poster by the Samajwadi Party's Lohia Vahini in which a photograph of BR Ambedkar was used with the face half superimposed with the face of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, the panel on Thursday ordered the Lucknow Police Commissioner to register an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.The commission called it a "grave insult" to the Dalit icon. Commission chairman Baijnath Rawat strongly condemned the act, saying: "This is not just an insult to Baba Saheb, but a direct attack on the faith of the SC/ST communities. The society will not tolerate it." He further alleged that the SP has a history of insulting Dalit icons and glorifying anti-national elements. Rawat asked for a compliance report to be submitted to the commission by May 5. "Whether in power or in opposition, the SP repeatedly disrespected the Dalit community. Akhilesh Yadav's attempt to equate himself with Baba Saheb reflects a deeply flawed mindset," he said.The commission also demanded a public apology from the SP, calling the act a "deliberate and shameful" attempt to distort history and hurt Dalit sentiments.