Dalit organisations in various parts of the state marched up to the office of District Collector or local Mamlatdar and submitted a memorandum of their demands
The call for Gujarat Bandh by Dalit organisations went off peacefully as commuters and businesses were hardly affected. The Dalit organisations are seeking action against perpetrators of violence against Dalits in Bhim-Koregaon in Maharashtra on January 1.
The call for bandh was given by Samta Sainik Dal and other Dalit organizatons. Main protests were held in Surat, where Dalits marched up to the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the ring road and shouted slogans seeking action against perpetrators of violence against Dalits in Bhim-Koregaon. Bhanu Chauhan, President of Samta Sainik Dal in Gujarat told DNA that major protests were held in Surat, Rajkot and Botad, where a procession was carried out and traffic movement obstructed.
"We want that those who attacked Dalits in Bhim-Koregaon be punished. Hindus do not consider Dalits as Hindus so we want our rights accordingly," Chauhan told DNA. Dalit organisations in various parts of the state marched up to the office of District Collector or local Mamlatdar and submitted a memorandum of their demands.
Samast Ambedkari Samaj, its memorandum said that Maharashtra government forcibly closed the Sikrapur Vatu village so that Dalits are not able to get food or other items. It also alleged that Hindu organisations deliberately attacked Dalits in Bhim Koregaon, while local police force and administration was reduced to a mute spectator even as vehicles of Dalits were being damaged. It also said that false propaganda was being spread using certain news channels.
However, there was no effect of the bandh in Gujarat. Normalcy prevailed in Surat, where the Dalits were the most vocal. "Business was as usual. There was no disturbance all. Movement of people and vehicles was also unaffected. There are no reports of disruption of normalcy from any part of the city," said PM Shah, President of The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, head quarted at Surat.
UP THE ANTE
- Dalit organisations in various parts of the state marched up to the office of District Collector or local Mamlatdar and submitted a memorandum of their demands.
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 "Bhima Koregaon violence")
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