Political heat is soaring over the issue of Dalit activist Bhanubhai Vankar’s death ahead of the first Budget session of 14th legislative Assembly of Gujarat which starts on Monday.
60-year-old Vankar had set himself on fire at the Patan District Collectorate in North Gujarat over physical possession of land allotted to a Dalit family on Thursday. He succumbed to his burn injuries on Friday late night at a hospital in Ahmadabad.
The issue of the Dalit activist’s death instantly raked up by Congress supported independent MlA from Vadgam Jignesh Mevani, OBC leader and Congress MlA from Radhanpur Alpesh Thakor as well as pro-quota Patidar leader Hardik Patel. The trinity made it a point to visit family of the deceased and demanded firm action and justice to the community. After that angry crowds started protest in Ahmadabad and Gandhinagar.
Especially Mevani led the protest on busy Ahmadabad-Gandhinagar highway that led to traffic Jam on Saturday evening. On Sunday also he had heated arguments with policemen after the cops detained his supporters. later on he too was detained.
In other parts of the State too widespread anger reported. According to agitators despite Vankar gave notice to the authorities about his self-immolation plans, he could implement his plans in presence of police, ambulance and firefighting personnel. Sources close to the development said that the deceased came to the Patan Collector’s office along with Dalit families for whom he demanded justice. He drenched himself in kerosene and set himself on fire within no time and sustained 96 per cent burns.
With news of his death spread, Dalits came on the street across various parts of the State including in the state capital Gandhinagar, Unjha, Chanasma, Patan, Morbi, Ahmedabad etc. and started burning tyres with a view to block traffic.
looking to the seriousness of the incident, the State Government instantly came into action and sent a delegation of Gandhinagar district collector, Inspector General of Police and Social Empowerment secretary to talk to the Dalit activists and family of the deceased. Deputy Chief Minister announced to pay compensation of Rs 8 lakh to Vankar’s family and said that the State Government agreed to all major demands of Dalit families. Patel also gave assurance to set up an inquiry commission headed by retired High Court Judge.
In this backdrop, the budget session of Gujarat assembly is initiating on Monday and the opposition Congress party is gearing up to take the issue in the House to corner ruling BJP.
The leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani too made it a point to visit the Deceased family. In the 182-member House BJP has 99 MlAs compared to Congress party’s 77, two from NCP and three independents including that of Mevani.