Explainer: Why AAP is focusing on Dalit voters

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) went all out to woo the 32 per cent Dalit voters in the state, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself leading the charge by participating in the birth anniversary celebrations of the Dalit icon in Patiala and releasing the dues under the SC Post Matric Scholarship scheme.

Over the past few months, AAP has been wooing the big vote bank of Dalits in Punjab, the only state it is now in power. Interestingly, the AAP government has six Dalit ministers and the party had also promised to make a Deputy Chief Minister from amongst a member of the Dalit community, though this may take some time.

What all has AAP done recently to woo Dalits?

From being the only state to give the benefit of reservation to law officers in the Advocate General office to giving free coaching to IAS/ PCS aspirants from the community; launching a drive to weed out those falsely claiming the benefit of reservation using fake certificates to releasing funds regularly under the SC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, the government is quietly making inroads in the Dalit community.

Resolving the issue of the recent attempts to deface statues of Dr Ambedkar at some places were also given priority by the government, and the miscreants were caught within 24 hours.

Clash with farmers ahead of 2027 election battle

Wooing Dalits and keeping them in good humour has become all the more imperative after the recent incidents of the government clamping down on farmers from both the SKM and SKM non-political forums, and the farmers openly challenging AAP leaders.

It was the support of Punjab’s peasantry that had helped AAP in coming to power with a thumping majority in the 2022 Assembly poll. Thus, they now want to concentrate on the other big vote bank (of Dalits). Though the Assembly elections in the state are still two years away, the electoral defeat in Delhi in February this year, has had the party’s top leaders sit up and redraw and restratigise their moves.

Which other party trying to win over the Dalits?

The BJP, too, is trying to seek support of the Dalits, ever since the Lok Sabha poll held last year.

No wonder ruling AAP in the state seems to be leaving nothing to chance.

This year, major budgetary allocations were made for Dalits, with 34 per cent of the total development grants (worth Rs 13,987 crore) being set aside under the SC Sub Plan.

A debt waiver for 4,640 Dalit persons, having availed loans from Punjab Scheduled Caste Land Development and Finance Corporation, was also announced last month.

What is ‘jhanda and danda’ campaign?

Following the incidents of the defacement of Dr Ambedkar’s statues, in a symbolic gesture of solidarity, AAP workers and leaders, armed with “danda and jhanda” (sticks and flags), guarded Babasaheb’s statues to ensure that these remained unharmed today. “This act was a powerful declaration of the party’s unwavering resolve to safeguard the dignity and legacy of Dr Ambedkar,” said a senior party leader.

Punjab