Dalit row: Gujarat bandh gets mixed response; CM rushes to Una

Some incidents of arson and stone pelting was seen in Saurashtra regions, while life in Ahmedabad remained largely unaffected

The bandh called in Gujarat on Wednesday to protest the beating up of four Dalit youths in Una, for allegedly skinning a dead cow on July 11, received mixed response.

Incidents of stone-throwing and road blockade were reported at some places in the state. Saurashtra district was affected the most, and clashes between protesters and police turned violent at a rally in Amreli in the district. To keep things under control, state reserved police teams have been deployed in Rajkot, Jamnagar and other places in the region.

Schools, colleges and business establishments observed total bandh in Junagadh and Amreli. Around 50 protestors were detained in Rajkot. In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses because of protests by Dalit Panthers and other outfits.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the incident took place, on Wednesday. “The beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating…is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arresting the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured,” she said.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for each victim, apart from extending free medical treatment. An inquiry by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) has been launched.

The incident received wide criticism on social media after a video of the four Dalit youths being beaten went viral.

Two persons, a policeman and a protestor, died on Tuesday during protests. The incident has also triggered a spate of suicide attempts by Dalits. During the day, eight protesters attempted suicide. Seven others had consumed pesticide on Monday, one of whom, Hemant Solanki of Bhesan town, died on Tuesday.

Uproar in Parliament

There was uproar in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Wednesday over the incident, which snowballed into a national debate. The Congress targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party in Lok Sabha over the attacks, saying they were working for a “Dalit-mukt Bharat” ahead of next year’s assembly polls in the state.

This evoked a reaction from the government. Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the incident “very unfortunate”, but said the state government had acted “swiftly and effectively”, arresting nine of the accused.

Singh sought to turn the tables on the opposition, contending that atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat were much higher during the Congress rule from 1991 till Narendra Modi became chief minister in 2001. Citing figures, he said cases of atrocities had declined after Modi took over in 2001. However, a BJP government headed by Keshubhai Patel from had ruled the state for the most part from 1995 till 2001.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Una on Thursday, while Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is likely to visit on Friday.

Case File

- Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel meets victims' family in Una

- Bandh partially successful in Saurashtra, mixed response in other parts of Gujarat

- Incidents of clashes, arson and road blockades reported

- Govt sets up inquiry under CID (Crime) for investigation; all 8 accused arrested 

- Ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to each victim, medical expenses to be borne by government

- Four local policemen suspended for dereliction of duty 

- Government proposes for trail by the Special Court or Fast Track Court