Gujarat Dalit protests: Rahul, Kejriwal to visit Una Town

In the wake of violent protests across Gujarat by the Dalit community against the assault on fellow community members for allegedly killing a cow, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal will visit Una town in Gir-Somnath district. 

Chief minister Anandiben Patel will also visit Una on Wednesday to meet the victims and the family members. Meanwhile, the Congress today met Governor O P Kohli and handed over a memorandum seeking a judicial probe into the incident.

The incident had come to light after a purported video showing some persons, believed to be 'gau-rakshaks', publicly beating four partially-stripped Dalit youths at Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, had gone viral.

The victims' contention was that they were just skinning a dead cow and had not killed it, whereas the accused alleged these youths were involved in cow slaughter. The Chief Minister condemned the incident and appealed the people to maintain peace.

"It was indeed a despicable act, and no community can tolerate it. Local police was also at fault, as they did not acted swiftly. Apart from arresting the culprits, we have also suspended such policemen yesterday. State government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakhs to



each of the victims," she said.

Congress state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela, met Governor O P Kohli and handed over a memorandum on the issue.

Meanwhile, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) came out in support of Dalits and condemned the entire incident. In a release, prant-sangh chalak of Gujarat RSS, Mukesh Malkan, said the atrocities on Dalits by the "so-called cow protectors" were very "unfortunate and painful".

"Such atrocities on our Dalit brothers is a loathsome crime and the culprits must be given harsh punishment. Such incidents should be a matter of concern for all of us. Sangh believes such incidents should not be used to create rift between various communities for political purpose" stated the release.

VHP, too, condemned the incident and alleged that some elements are harassing Dalits by involving their profession of skinning with cow slaughter.

"VHP condemns the atrocities on Dalits in Una town. They were targeted wrongfully by some elements by claiming the Dalit youths were involved in cow slaughter. In reality, they were only doing their ancestral work," a release by Gujarat VHP leader Ranchhod Bharwad said.