PM Modi, BJP leaders to observe fast on April 12

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with BJP MPs, will observe a day-long fast on Thursday to protest the impasse in the Budget session of Parliament. Party chief Amit Shah will hold a sit-in at Hubli in poll-bound Karnataka on the same day.

Modi, however, will continue with his daily schedules of meeting people and officials, and other official work, sources said.

The prime minister, on April 6, said that BJP MPs will observe a fast on April 12 to protest the impasse in Parliament. Following it, all BJP MPs will observe the fast in their respective constituencies, while Shah will hold a 'dharna' (sit-in) in poll-bound Karnataka's Hubli.
 
Addressing his party’s MPs, Modi had accused the Opposition, particularly the Congress, of practising divisive politics.

On April 9, the Congress members observed a fast to promote peace and communal harmony in the country and accused the Narendra Modi government as being ‘’anti-Dalits’’.

BJP leaders, however, have been underlining the party's commitment to the welfare of Dalits and will organise events to mark the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Bhimrao Ambedkar on April 14.

The BJP will also observe the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule, a social reformer from a backward caste, on April 11 as Samta Divas (equality day). Modi will address the MPs, the sources said.