At an event commemorating his father’s birth anniversary on Wednesday, Bhudeo Choudhary, the son of liberation fighter and Dalit legend Jaglal Chowdhury, accused organizers of not treating him with the respect he deserved, sparking a controversy. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, attested to the occurrence, which caused a new controversy as Bhudeo Choudhary said he was disrespectfully handled and refused the chance to see the Congress leader.

Akhilesh Prasad Singh, the leader of the Bihar Congress, responded to the accusation by stating that an NGO organized the event and that the Congress just served as a facilitator. “I have also learned that Bhudeo Choudhary, son of Dalit icon Jaglal Choudhary, was not given due respect at today’s function,” he said, denouncing the disrespect shown to him. I denounce it. He deserved to be treated with respect. Let me clarify, however, that the Bihar Congress just served as a facilitator; the event was planned by an NGO. In any case, on Thursday I shall see Bhudeo Choudhary at the BPCC headquarters.”

Speaking to the media, Bhudeo Choudhary conveyed his disappointment, saying, “The security guards denied me permission to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on the dais. I felt terrible about not receiving the respect I deserved during the celebration of my father’s birth anniversary.

Neeraj Kumar, a BJP politician from Bihar, responded to the event by saying it revealed the Congress leaders’ actual views on Dalits.

Rahul Gandhi said in his remarks on the occasion that the BJP-RSS alliance was attacking the Constitution and attempting to mislead the public by making token gestures of admiration for Dalit leaders such as B.R. Ambedkar. Gandhi emphasized that only having political representation was insufficient and that Dalits, tribals, and OBCs needed to have stronger “bhagidari” (participation) in all spheres of society.

He said, “I hope to see the day when Dalits, tribes, and backward people become leaders in the private sector and in bureaucracy, not just foot soldiers.” Gandhi said, “As long as this is in force, Dalits and other deprived sections of society can hope for a better life,” while holding up a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution. Because they are aware of this, the BJP-RSS subtly criticizes the Constitution.