Dalits in Gujarat demanded discussion on land allotment to them in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Gujarat Assembly commencing on Monday.
The demand was made at a gathering of community member on the completion of a 350-kilometre march from Ahmedabad to Una. The march was started on August 5 and ended on the Independence Day. Dalits also threatened to intensify agitation by launching rail blockade if they would not be allotted land by the State Government. The march was in protest of flogging of Dalit youths near Una town for allegedly skinning a dead cow. They were brutally beaten up by self-style cow protection vigilantes.
Addressing a gathering in Una, lawyer-turned-Dalit leader in Gujarat Jignesh Mewani said just like Hardik Patel could go to jail for his Patidar community, he would also do the same for his Dalit Samaj. Dalits also unfurled Tri-colour at Una to mark Independence Day.
Radhika Vemula, mother of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student who committed suicide earlier this year at a University in Hyderabad, was also present at Una. In fact she unfurled the Tricolour. Speaking to gathering she said that the nation belonged to all, not one caste or religion. JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar was also present at the rally turned public meeting
at Una.