Gujarat Dalit protests: Don’t try to end your lives, Kejriwal tells Dalit youths

Referring to the recent incident of alleged assault on Dalits in Una town of Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district that has sparked widespread protests by Dalit communities across different parts of the state, Kejriwal says in the video, “Dalit Samaj ke Bachon se meri haath jodke binti hai ki atmahatya nahi karni hai (It is my appeal with folded hands to the children of Dalit community that suicide should not be committed.) Why should we try to commit suicide, instead we will fight against them like Babasaheb Ambedkar had fought and we will surely win. There is strength in unity and all the people of the country are with you in this fight.”

Kejriwal also said that the video of Dalit youth allegedly being brutally beaten by Gau Rakshaks had stirred the soul of the nation, Kejriwal blamed the BJP led state government in Gujarat for creating an atmosphere of oppression against various communities.

WATCH VIDEO: State Govt Involved In Gujarat Anti-Dalit Violence: Kejriwal

He said, “After this incident we are witnessing that Dalit youth are attempting suicide in various parts of the state, which is very bad. It feels as if not just the Dalit community but the Gujarat government is oppressing various communities in state. Last year there was agitation by the Patidar community and despite it being a peaceful protest , the police got into homes of Patidars and hit their women, kids and had piled up false cases against 2000 people from the community. Businessmen from the state tell me they get threats of raids that will be conducted on them. It seems as if an oppressive atmosphere has engulfed the state. People are being scared, beaten and kicked and false police cases are being put up against them. My appeal is that all people of Gujarat should put up a united front be it Dalit, Patidars and business community and raise there voice against this oppression. The entire country is with you in this fight.”

WATCH VIDEO: Dalit Protests Spread In Gujarat, Voices Rise In Parliament

READ: Dalits thrashing, suicide attempts, arson: All you need to know about Una protests

The Aam Aadmi Party leader also asked people in the state to raise their voice against oppressive forces and to not resort to violence in his video appeal.