Even mosquito bites can't move us from Dalit homes: Anupama Jaiswal

Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Minister Anupma Jaiswal on Friday landed into a controversy with her remark on working day an night for Dalits despite being bitten by mosquitoes.

"Schemes are being made for the benefit all sections and to ensure proper implementation ministers are paying several visits, even if mosquitoes bite them all night," Anupma Jaiswal said after she was asked about the controversy on Minister Suresh Rana's visit to a Dalit household.

Earlier, Suresh Rana has created a controversy by bringing his own food and water at a dinner hosted by Dalits. Rana, however, had rejected the allegation saying, "The food was prepared in the village, by the villagers themselves." 

BJP leader Uma Bharti had skipped her meal prepared during a Dalit event, saying she was not Lord Rama who would purify people by having food with them.

Later, the BJP leader apologised, saying she was not aware that she was supposed to have food with them.

"I want to share a secret with you. I don't take part in 'samrasta bhoj' (community meals) because I do not consider myself Lord Rama, who went to Shabri's home and the Dalits became purified," she said, referring to the mythological episode from Ramayana.