Athawale favours CBI probe into Una Dalits flogging case

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale today said the government should consider handing over the probe into the Una Dalits flogging case to the CBI.
"Handing over the inquiry into the Una (Dalit flogging) case to CBI should be considered," Athawale told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
At present, Gujarat CID-Crime is investigating the case and has arrested 37 persons so far.
The Union Minister of State for Social Justice also said the issue of atrocities on Dalits cannot be linked to any government.
"The issue of atrocities on Dalits cannot be linked to the government in power here. Around 45,000 cases of Dalit atrocities take place every year across India (irrespective of the party ruling the states). The main reason behind such incidents is casteism," he said.

The minister also expressed anger and disappointment that those involved in the crime at Una, had made a video clip and circulated it on social media platforms.

"In the past, people facing atrocity charges used to tell police that they were not involved in it. People had a sense of fear. They used to disown what they did. But in this case, a video of thrashing of Dalit youths was made by the accused and circulated across the country," said the minister.
On July 11, seven Dalits of Mota Samadhiyala village of Una taluka in Gir-Somnath district were allegedly thrashed by cow vigilantes when they were found skinning a dead cow.

Later, four of these Dalit youths were taken to Una town, where they were tied up with a vehicle and allegedly thrashed by the 'gau rakshaks'.
The matter came to light after a video of flogging, allegedly made by the cow vigilantes, went viral on social media platforms.