Ranchi, Sept. 25: Former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar today dubbed the BJP and the RSS as anti-secular, anti-democratic and anti-Dalit at a fiery speech at XISS which not too many students attended.

Slamming the Raghubar Das-led BJP government in Jharkhand for "trying to usurp and destroy tribal property and cultural identity", Kanhaiya said: "Tribals of Jharkhand have for long fought against atrocities. They are known by their bow and arrow. The BJP is pushing Lotus Clubs in Jharkhand and pursuing policies aimed to destroy tribal culture."

On Dalit attacks by cow vigilantes in Gujarat, Kanhaiya praised Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani and promised a massive stir from October 1.

Holding the Prime Minister responsible for deaths of Indian soldiers in the Uri terror attack, he alleged Modi would not dare act against Pakistan as it would "hurt the business interests of his corporate friends" and people "understand his (Modi's) tricks now". He also said martyrs were never treated well in India and alleged how after his brother's death in the CRPF in Manipur, it took his bhabhi three years to get her pension.

Before this, at the youth plenary on the last day of the Sixth National Convention on Right to Food Campaign at Gossner middle school, where 1,500 people came to listen mainly to Kanhaiya, the fiery student leader said hunger "was a basic issue".

Pointing out how politics was entwined with lives, he said it was legitimate to demand justice, equality and basic needs, but those who raised their voice against the present dispensation were harassed.

"I wanted justice for Rohith Vemula but was sent to jail. Those who side with Dalits are branded traitors, those supporting tribals are described as Naxalites and those favouring minorities are treated as jihadis. But, there is no harm in politics if demanding food for the hungry and education for illiterates is politics," he said.

He said sab ki baat was more important than Mann ki Baat, taking another dig at Modi, and later raised his trademark azadi (freedom) slogan.

When The Telegraph said he sounded like a neta, Kanhaiya demurred: "This may be your perception but I want to be a teacher."