CM orders probe into Dalit man's self-immolation attempt

The Gujarat government on Friday announced that it would bear all the expenses of treatment of a Dalit activist who attempted self-immolation in Patan on Thursday.

"It is the most unfortunate incident. We have already instructed private hospital to provide best possible treatment and the government would bear all the expenses," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani told media persons here.

Instructions have also been issued to the chief secretary to investigate the entire incident, the CM said.

Bhanubhai Vankar of Dadua village set himself on fire inside the compound of the collector's office in the presence of police, ambulance and firefighters. He was protesting against the delay by the state government in allotment of land to the Dalit families.

Last month, Bhanubhai had written to the chief minister and threatened self-immolation if the land is not allotted to them.

Though the chief minister's office had sent an advisory to the collectorate to be cautious in the matter, the officials failed to prevent the incident.

Worsening situation

Meanwhile, the politics over the self-immolation attempt is gradually heating up in the state as the 14th Gujarat Legislative Assembly is all set to meet for the first time on Monday.

"The law and order situation in the state is worsening and the BJP government is neglecting Dalits and farmers. The government must initiate action against the erring officials," Bharatsinh Solankim, state Congress president, said.

Jignesh Mevani, independent MLA from Vadgam, met the Dalit families on Friday and sought immediate transfer of land to Dalits. Some Dalit organisations even enforced a bandh in Patan in protest against the incident. The bandh remained relatively peaceful.