In connection with attacks on migrant workers in Gujarat over the issue of rape on 14-months-old girl, the State Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Chief Secretary JN Singh as well as Director General of Police (DGP) Shivanand Jha on Wednesday.
The chairperson of the Commission Justice (retired) Abhilasha Kumari has asked both the top officials to submit a detailed report on the attacks and exodus of labourers, predominantly belonging to Hindi belt States in the next 20 days.
According to her Gujarat’s Chief Secretary Singh and DGP Jha would have to mention on what kind of measures they had taken to ensure safety of migrant workers to maintain peace and harmony in the State.
Following the alleged rape on a toddler and the arrest of a labourer identified as Ravindra Sahu on September 28, 2018, attacks on migrant workers initiated, especially on those labourers who belong to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Sahu, who is working in a local ceramic factory in Sabarkantha district in North Gujarat, belongs to Bihar.
In a bid to take political advantage of the situation political leaders too jumped and tried to provoke locals against the Hindi-speaking workers. As a result of it, the violence against the migrant workers spread in six districts including Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surendranagar, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. Out of fear, especially due to threatening social media messages, thousands of Hindi-speaking labourers fled to their respective States well ahead of Diwali festival by taking extended vacation.
Congress MLA from Radhanpur constituency Alpesh Thakor’s alleged provocative speeches inspired Kshtriya Thakor Sena to attack on migrant labourers. The social organisation of OBC Thakor community is headed by non-other than Alpesh, who is also AICC nominated secretary for Bihar State.
Considering the seriousness of the situation, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani came into action and gave assurance to take stern action against those elements who were responsible for spreading hatred in the name of regions. Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja said that 533 people including some Congress leaders were arrested in connection with attacks on migrant labourers.