Death of dalit activist hots up debate in Gujarat Assembly

The death of dalit activist Bhanubhai Vankar through self-immolation over non-allocation of land to dalit families, again rocked the Gujarat Assembly on Monday with Opposition Congress walking out of the House in a huff.

Bhanubhai Vankar had threatened self-immolation on the premises of Patan collector's office on February 16 last, to press for handing over land allotted to a couple of labourers belonging to dalit community. He implemented his threat in the presence of police, ambulance and fire brigade personnel, who apparently failed to prevent Bhanubhai from taking the extreme step.

On the demand of Congress legislator Sailesh Parmar and three others, a discussion was allowed on the incident. Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja said that a SIT has been constituted to find those guilty of preventing the incident. He also said that the failure of the fire brigade should be blamed on the Patan local self government controlled by Congress. "The BJP is trying to politicise the unfortunate incident by making such statements," Sailesh Parmar later told mediapersons.

Mevani protest

Legislator from Vadgaam and Dalit rights activist Jignesh Mevani's speech was cut short as Speaker Rajendra Trivedi ordered his microphone to be switched off and adjourned the House. Mevani and several Congressmen left the House in a huff and addressed the media. Jignesh called the incident a reflection of "anti-dalit" attitude of the state government.

He cited the earlier incidents of Thangadh, where three dalits were killed in police firing in 2012. Though SIT was set up and report submitted, the state is yet to make it public or place it before the House. Jignesh recalled Una flogging of four dailt youths in 2015, after which then chief minister Anandiben Patel had announced a government job, financial package and five acres land for the affected family. So far, none of these commitments have been met. "We do not trust their word or SIT," Mevani said.

Minister Jadeja, however, refuted the charge saying the Vijay Rupani government had met all its commitments made to the family of Bhanubhai after his death. He said that the government had handed over land to two dalit families for whose cause he died, transferred family members in government employment to the place of their choice, proposed a posthumous award in honour of Bhanubhai and installation of his statue in his hometown. Collectors across the state had been instructed to identify dalits allotted government land and give them physical possession of the land.