Dalit activist Jignesh Mevani has criticised “the Communist Party of India (Marxist) model of development”, which, he said, deserved to be wiped out like the “Gujarat model of development” as it had failed to address crucial issues in health and education.
Inaugurating a seminar on reservation in the higher education sector here on Friday, Mr. Mevani, who launched the Una agitation against the torture of Dalits, sought a second round of land reforms in Kerala, comprehensive steps to wipe out caste-based colonies, and a plan of action to ensure social justice in the health and education sectors.
“Health and education are the two parameters Gujarat is lagging behind compared to Kerala. But to my shock, I heard that thousands of nurses here are denied minimum wages. In the education sector, there is no reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in aided educational institutions,” he said.
Mr. Mevani alleged that the Left government was not ready to vacate the Tatas, Goenkas, and Harrisons from the thousands of acres of coffee and tea estates even after the expiry of their lease.
Mr. Mevani said land whose possession was only on paper or whose lease period was over should be identified for occupation. “In the education sector, we need to push for common schooling to establish equality. In public health institutions, we need to have required facilities as per Indian public health standards,” he asserted.
“To cover up Sangh Parivar’s atrocities against Dalits and minorities, Ramnath Kovind has been appointed the President. I’m pretty sure, if they again come to power in 2019, he will be used to permanently impose Emergency on the country,” Mr. Mevani said.
