Ahmedabad, Jul 31 (PTI): The ongoing agitation by Dalits in Gujarat claimed its first victim from the community when one of the over 20 youths who had attempted suicide died today even as thousands of protesters converged at a rally here where the state's BJP government came under attack.
The state dalit leaders while asking their community to give up the work of disposing dead cattle to "send a message" to the government also warned that if atrocities on the community does not stop they will "show their strength" in the Assembly polls in Gujarat due in 2017.
Yogesh Hirabhai Solanki, 25, was rushed to Ahmedabad civil hospital at midnight last night from Rajkot after his condition deteriorated but passed away soon after, police said.
Solanki had attempted suicide along with two others at Parabari village in Dhoraji taluka of Rajkot on July 19 during the statewide protests against thrashing of Dalits in Una for skinning a dead dow on July 11.
A policeman was killed in Amreli town on July 19 when Dalit protesters pelted stones at a police station.
As part of their continuing protests over the assault on their community members, thousands of Dalits attended a mass gathering organised in Sabarmati area here.
At the rally, Dalit leaders also demanded firm steps to curb atrocities on the community.
The leaders also announced a plan to organise a foot march from here to Una town in Gir-Somnath District, where four Dalits were brutally thrashed by cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow, from August 5 as a mark of protest against the July 11 incident which caused an outrage.
Addressing the gathering, Dalit leader and Convener Jignesh Mevani put forward a slew of demands before the State Government and asked his community to take a pledge to stay away from their traditional work of disposing the dead cattle.
"To give a strong message to the Government, I urge all Dalits to discontinue the work of disposing dead animals. I also want you to take a pledge of discontinuing the work of cleaning sewer lines. We no longer wish to do this work and want Government to allot agriculture land to us, so that we can live a respectable life," said Mevani.
"If atrocities on Dalits does not stop, Dalits will show their strength in the 2017 Assembly polls," he asserted, targeting the BJP Government in the State.
He put forward a series of demands and asked the Government to come to the table for talks, just like it did with the Patel quota leaders.
"We want everyone who thrashed Dalits in Una to be arrested under PASA. If they come out on bail, Government must extern them from five districts," he said. PASA is a stringent law dealing with anti-social activities.
Other demands include withdrawal of cases filed against Dalits during recent protests, speedy probe in the 2012 Thangadh police firing (in which 3 Dalits were killed), allotment of five acres of land for community members who want to discontinue their traditional work and martial arts training to SC members for self defence.
"This agitation will continue till Government accepts our demands. If Government can sit with Patels and accept their demands, it should do the same with Dalits and call them for a meeting," said Mevani.
Comment on this article
TRUE INDIAN, IXE
Mon, Aug 01 2016ITS RSS AND VHP'S JOB AND NOT DALITS.
DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse
Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore
Mon, Aug 01 2016Dalit are going to protest what had happened in Gujarat and this is the time to the government to do the needful to bring them out of agitation
DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse
John, Udupi
Mon, Aug 01 2016Very good move by dalit leaders. BJPeee should be taught a lesson. Mantra is development but depriving dalits and anyone who has different viewpoint of their livelihood. Chi chi tu tu for these tughs
DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
godwin, Mangalore
Mon, Aug 01 2016BJP/RSS with their factious Gujarath Model and atrocities against weaker section of the society and Minorities is fully exposed,Nationally and Internationally.Now they cannot fool people here and in Foreign land with frequent US Trips.
DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse
Raviraj Shetty, Mangalore/UAE
Mon, Aug 01 2016Why Dalit has to do all this work, why are they putting themselves down?Let the government deal with it, let the bloody thing rot. Today I was watching news and I saw a swami saying it on news channel that it is very good that these dalit people were beaten up. This is what a religious person preach?
DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse
Jossey Saldanha , Nashville
Mon, Aug 01 2016Why no CBI or FBI ...
DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse
prem, moodbidri
Mon, Aug 01 2016Is this what they were saying 'Gujarat Model' before LS election?
DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse
Rajesh D., Manglore, Dubai
Mon, Aug 01 2016Dear protectors of Indian culture and protects of our brothers and sisters
One of our brother committed suicide due to harsh beatings and insult which he could not take it any more, who belongs to the same religion and worshiping the same God.
Why are you not coming out to hold morcha and dharana against those who made him to commit suicide.
you can at least help your brother to get moksha by doing that. If you do not fight for righteous person then how you can protect our culture and the whole country.
Is your true colour coming out, are you scared now ? Are you still waiting for the instructions from your political god parents ?
DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse
jeevan, mangalore
Mon, Aug 01 2016We must eradicate the caste system at any cost and RSS must involve in this task...
DisAgree [13] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse
Raviraj Shetty, Mangalore/UAE
Mon, Aug 01 2016The entire nation should get together and element RSS/BD/VHP inculding their supporters. These people are threat for the nation.
DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse
John, Udupi
Mon, Aug 01 2016How...!!??? You dont want to have any role in this....!????
DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse