Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday said that untouchability will not be eradicated with political leaders having food at Dalit homes, PTI reported. Paswan’s Lok Jan Shakti Party is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

“You can have food at anyone’s house, but you cannot patronise them, like Lord Ram having food at Sabri’s house,” he told reporters. “We have been in politics for a long time and had food at houses of many people, but we never asked anybody’s caste. Pitying them is wrong, and thinking that eating with Dalits will eradicate untouchability is not right.”

The consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister said there should be an effort made to solve the problems of Dalits such as lack of education, atrocities and development.

Paswan further said the BJP has been working for farmers and backward communities, however, the perception needs to change. “The prime minister’s intention is right, but reports of some untoward incidents put a question mark on his work,” he said.

Paswan’s comments came in the wake of the BJP launching samrasta bhoj [community dining] programme to spread the message of social harmony. BJP President Amit Shah and Karnataka chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa have visited Dalit and tribal homes in the poll-bound state recently. So have party leaders in other states.

Uttar Pradesh minister Suresh Rana recently triggered a controversy when he reportedly brought his own food and water to a dinner at a Dalit house. Rana has since rejected the allegation. “The food was prepared in the village, by the villagers themselves,” he had said.