As more than 10,000 Dalits gathered in here on Sunday in a show of strength to send out a message that the community will no longer accept any form of atrocity by upper castes, 23-year-old Yogesh Sarikhada, Dalit youth, who had consumed pesticide to protest the flogging of four Dalits youths by a cow vigilante group in Saurashtra, died in hospital.
At the massive congregation, organised by the Dalit community and several Dalit groups and activists, community leaders slammed the State government and also Dalit political leaders from the BJP and Congress for failing to protect their rights.
“We were pained by the attack on us for skinning a dead animal which we have been doing for centuries. But today, seeing this rally which has participants from across the State, I am elated to see the attack on us has at least united the community,” said Jitu Sarvaiya, whose brother was among the four youths assaulted in Mota Samadhiyala village near Una town on July 11.
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The community leaders announced a padayatra from Ahmedabad to Mota Samadhiyala from August 5.
The Dalits also warned the State government to ensure their protection or face their ire in the assembly polls next year. “I urge you all to give up disposing of dead animals and cleaning sewerage lines. We will not do such works and face assault and flogging. We will demand that the government must allot us agriculture land so that we can lead a respectable life,” said Dalit activist and one of the organisers of the rally, Jignesh Mevani.
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Other demands voiced by the Dalits and interestingly supported by the minority community, which also faces harassment from self styled cow vigilante groups include stringent action against those who have been arrested for the Una attack, withdrawal of cases lodged against Dalit members for protesting the incident and also weapons license or martial training to the Dalits for their self protection.