Swabhiman Sammelan: MLA Mevani reiterates demand for FIR against Mahisagar Collector

Mevani also resolved to hold a similar Swabhiman Sammelan in all 33 districts of Gujarat and 100 days of protest outside Mahisagar Collector office in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat government organised ‘Adijati Jan Utkarsh Mahotsav’ in the district to mark freedom fighter Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary celebration and death anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. The function was presided over by Minister for Tribal Development, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education Kuber Dindor.

Meanwhile, Congress legislative party leader Amit Chavda and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislative party leader Chaitar Vasava also took part in Mevani’s protest meeting at Sonela village near Lunawada.

Others who were part of the protest programme include MLAs Tushar Chaudhary, Gulabsinh Chauhan, Anant Patel, national president of Congress Seva Dal Lalji Desai, former MLA Sukhram Rathva, former MP Prabha Taviyad, farmer leader Pal Ambaliya and Gujarat Congress SC Department Chairman Hitendra Pithadiya among others. Congress leaders from outside the state such as K Raju, Hiralal Alawa and Rajesh Lilothia were also present on the occasion.

Mevani has been demanding an FIR against the Mahisagar Collector for her alleged anti-Dalit and anti-Adivasi comments since October. The Collector has termed the allegations against her as “baseless” and an “attempt to get political mileage”.

After receiving a complaint from a human rights activist, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has also recently issued notice to Gujarat Director General of Police seeking a report into the matter. Addressing the gathering, Mevani said that he does not have any personal animosity with anyone, but “against the alleged statements made by the Collector”. “You are saying that 90% cases lodged by Dalits and Adivasis are fake. Who did the survey? Is there a survey by the Government of India? Is there a survey of Gujarat government’s Social Welfare Department or Home Department or of Mahisagar Collector’s Office? Why do you say that Dalits and Adivasis lodge 90% of the cases for blackmailing?” he asked.“To say so is an insult to this oppressed, exploited and deprived class (of people),” Mevani said.

Targeting the BJP-led state government, Mevani alleged that minister Dindor had got the parallel function organised in Lunawada to “destroy” their protest rally there.

Meanwhile, the other leaders present during the protest event also sought an FIR against the Collector. Regarding the protest event held by Opposition leaders, Mahisagar district Superintendent of Police Jaydeepsinh Jadeja said that they had demanded police permission to hold a public meeting and to carry out a rally.

“The permission to carry out the rally was not granted. And they did not carry out any rally…they had requested to hold the public meeting and it was under our consideration,” Jadeja said, adding that the public meeting got over peacefully.

Collector attends state govt programme

The two-day government programme — Adijati Jan Utkarsh Mahotsav— launched at Indira Maidan in Lunawada town of Mahisagar district under the leadership of minister Dindor was also attended by District Collector Neha Kumari, according to a government statement.

As per an official release, it was also attended by in-charge minister for the district Bachubhai Khabad. Chairman of Scheduled Caste Morcho of Gujarat BJP, Gautam Gediya, too was present at the event.The event covered districts of Panchmahal, Dahod, Anand, and Kheda. “Today, a tribal can be seen holding the top posts — from village sarpanch to the President of the country,” said the official release quoting Dindor.

“In the struggle against the British, Bhagwan Birsa Munda had given the slogan – ‘Jay Johar ka Nara Hain, Bharat Desh Hamara Hain’. Whereas, Prime Minister Modi has given the slogan of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. For the upliftment of the tribal society, the PM has allocated Rs 80,000 crore. And therefore, the tribal community should not get misled by certain elements,” he said, according to the release, in a veiled attack on his political opponents. During the event, government schemes’ beneficiaries were also provided with kits by the dignitaries present.

Before launching the event, Dindor also led a rally from P N Pandya College to Indira Maidan in Lunawada, as per the release. Despite repeated attempts, Dindor could not be contacted over Mevani’s allegations.