Jignesh Mevani stopped from addressing Rajasthan rally

The Gujarat MLA says detention is in violation of his fundamental rights.

Karnataka : Bengaluru : 04/04/2018 : Activist and MLA of Vadgam constituency in Gujarat Jignesh Mevani take part in protest against SC/ST Act judgement by Supreme Court which is banning immediate arrest of a person accused of insulting or injuring a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe member, organized Members of Dalita damnitara swabhimaani horata samiti staged protest at in front of Town Hall in Bengaloru on April 04, 2018. Photo : Sudhakara Jain.

Dalit leader and Independent MLA from Gujarat Jignesh Mevani was stopped at the Sanganer international airport here on Sunday and prevented from travelling to Nagaur district. Mr. Mevani was scheduled to address a Dalit rally as part of the B.R. Ambedkar birth anniversary celebrations.

While the Nagaur district administration restricted Mr. Mevani’s visit, the Jaipur police stopped him at the airport to inform him of the order, and asked him not to address any public meeting in the State capital as well till April 30, in view of the prohibitory orders in force here.

Mr. Mevani termed his detention “absolutely unconstitutional” and violative of his fundamental rights.

Questions Raje rule

“If they can do this with an elected representative, what would be the condition of ordinary citizens and Dalits in the Vasundhara Raje rule?” he asked in a statement.

The activist-turned-politician, who had flown in from Ahmedabad, went to the house of a local activist and member of his “Team Rajasthan” in the city, where the police force was deployed to keep a watch on his movements. However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Jaipur East) Kunwar Rashtradeep said Mr. Mevani had “neither been detained nor arrested”.

The Dalit leader warned Chief Minister Ms. Raje of an electoral setback and tweeted: “Vasundhara Ji, hamara bhi vada raha. Chunav me maza ayega [I promise you, Ms. Raje, you will face the music in elections].”