The controversial statement by BJP MP and Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde wherein he felt a need to change the Constitution has not gone down well among secular leaders, mainly Dalits.

Describing Mr. Hedge as anti-Dalit and anti-social, Dalit leader and MLA Raju Algur has demanded that the Narendra Modi government immediately sack Mr. Hegde from the Union Ministry.

Speaking to The Hindu , he said that the followers of Manu Smriti have always opposed social equality in society for centuries in India.

Asserting that Mr. Hedge was utterly unfit to become an MP and hold the post of a public representative, Prof. Algur said that Dalit leaders would file case against the MP. Calling the Constitution prepared by B. R. Ambedkar as the true reflection of social equality and secularism of the country which is home to hundreds of different castes and religions, Prof. Algur said that the MP has not only disrespected the Constitution but also Dr. Ambedkar who is the architect of the Constitution.

“The Constitution proposes social and political equality of people of all marginalised sections of society, including women and the oppressed classes who have been neglected by people such as Mr. Hegde for generations. The Constitution is the best in the world in ensuring equality to all sections of society which people like Mr. Hegde have kept opposing. They have been conspiring for years to bring amendments to the Constitution to suit their needs and not for ensuring equality in society,” Mr. Algur said.

Taking exception to Mr. Hegde’s statement that secularists did not know their true blood, Prof. Algur said that people such as Mr. Hegde had in their veins the blood of Nathuram Godse and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar who were the killers of Mahatma Gandhi.

He warned that any attempt to bring changes to the Constitution would draw severe anger from Dalits and secularists in the country.