Dalits to hold march on August 16, ask government about ‘unfulfilled’ promises

Seeking land entitlement for two Dalit families of Dudkha village in Patan district, Bhanu Vankar — a native of Unjha of Mehsana — had immolated himself at the complex of Patan collectorate on February 15. Following this, Dalits had agitated at many places in the state and Vankar’s family had refused to take his body until a written compromise was struck in presence of six senior government authorities.

Some of the demands that were agreed upon by the state authorities included allotment of land to the Dalit families of Dudkha for whom Vankar was fighting, formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe into Vankar’s death, taking action against police officials who were present at Patan when Vankar immolated himself and transfer of Vankar’s son, who is a state government employee, from Sidhpur to Unjha.

Parmar said, “Except for the demand of transfer of Bhanubhai’s son, no other demand has been fulfilled in spirit. And therefore, Dalits from various parts of Gujarat will gather in Gandhinagar, on August 16, and take out the a march while seeking an answer from the state government on its unfulfilled promises.”