Call for Gujarat bandh on Wednesday as protests over Dalit men's beating rage

Challenges continue to plague the Anandiben Patel-led Gujarat government as calls arose for a state-wide bandh to be observed on Wednesday by Dalit groups. The bandh is being called as part of protests against beating of Dalit youths in Una continued on Tuesday. Last week, Dalit youths were beaten publicly by 'cow protectors' over alleged cow killing in Una, 360 kms from Ahmedabad.

Apart from stray incidents of arson and violence in different parts of the state, incidents of Dalit community members committing suicide came to fore on Tuesday. Hemant Solanki, a Dalit youth succumbed to a suicide attempt in Junagadh on Tuesday, even as dozen others are being treated in different hospitals for committing suicide to protest against atrocities on the community.

Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel, who will be heading to Una on Wednesday to meet the victims and their family members, appealed for peace to the community members. The state government has also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to each of the four Dalit youths who were beaten, apart from extending medical treatment to the victims. "We are taking strong action against the accused," she said on Tuesday.

The state government on Monday set up an inquiry by CID (Crime) into the alleged beating of Dalit youths. The incident received wide criticism on the social media when videos of Dalit youths being beaten publicly by 'cow protectors' over alleged cow killing went viral.

Apparently, in their defence, the Dalit youths claimed that they were only skinning dead cows. However, miscreants belonging to right wing parties stripped and thrashed the Dalit youths for alleged cow killing. While inquiry by CID (Crime) is on, four police officials have been suspended and nine persons arrested in the case.

Incidents of blocked roads, violence and arson including torching of state transport buses took in different cities, especially in the western parts of the state like Rajkot.

Meanwhile, the opposition party Congress, led by leader Shankersinh Vaghela, submitted a memorandum to Gujarat Governor O P Kohli, demanding strict action against the culprits. The Congress party termed the incident as a 'failure' on part of the BJP-led state government to protect rights of such communities.