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Journalism of Courage
Vadgam MLA and Congress leader Jignesh Mevani questioned the role of the state government in protecting the Dalits in the context of the recent deaths of four “safai karamcharis” (cleaners) in the last few days and the deaths of at least eight such workers in the gutter in the past 20 days. Calling it a “failure” of the state government, the MLA also highlighted the diversion of crores of rupees meant for various schemes meant for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from the total pool of the recent Gujarat budget.
“Even today, the workers in Gujarat are forced to clean gutters and remove (human-animal) waste… manual scavenging and untouchability are still practised… even today, a worker died while cleaning the gutter. But they (the authorities) do not register any cases against the offenders,” the Vadgam MLA alleged during a “Lalkar rally” held “fighting for the rights” of Dalits to mark Ambedkar Jayanti in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Calling the rally a “challenge” to the RSS and and a “fight” for the Dalits rights, the MLA said, “When the Una (flogging) incident happened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said “maarna hai toh mujhe maro mere Dalit bhaiyon ko mat maro” (if you want to kill, then kill me, don’t kill my Dalit brothers). After that, 1.90 lakh Dalits and Adivasis have died due to caste-based atrocities in the past four years”.
Mevani also criticised Modi’s book ‘Karmyogi’ and his claims that manual scavenging offers spiritual happiness to those involved in the work. Mevani questioned that if that was the mindset, then how would the Dalits be protected. “Technology can be developed to find water on Mars and Moon, but there is no technology that can prevent any workers (from entering) the gutter,” added Mevani.
He also took on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP—which he called the “Manuwadi” powers—saying they have been attacking democracy. “In the past four years, as per Union Home Minister (Amit Shah), about 1.90 lakh Dalits and Adivasis have been affected by caste-based atrocities. This is a huge issue to worry about in this country,” Mevani said.
He also alleged that there was no justice served to the victims of Una (flogging) yet. “Still the workers (from the community) get down the gutters to clean… the practice is still followed, thousands of Dalits have no land and during the allocation, anti-social elements get in the way. This way the reservation policy is attacked, unemployment and inflation are on the rise and so is privatisation… When the Congress was in power more than 1.63 lakh acres were given to Dalits (in the state). Now, lands are only given to Adani and Ambani,” said Mevani.
Mevani also released a video with “14 questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and the BJP” on various issues of the Dalits, Adivasis and Other Backward Classes. He sought details on the initiatives taken by the Prime Minister for their emancipation and to promote equality among all the citizens.
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