In the wake of violent protests across Gujarat by the Dalit community against the assault on fellow community members for allegedly killing a cow, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will visit Una town in Gir-Somnath district tomorrow to meet the victims.
Meanwhile, the Congress today met Governor O P Kohli and handed over a memorandum seeking a judicial probe into the incident.
"(The) Chief Minister will visit Una town tomorrow and meet the Dalit youths, who became victims of atrocities. She will also meet family members of these victims. She will be accompanied by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ramanlal Vora and Chief Secretary G R Aloria," an official release said.
The incident had come to light after a purported video showing some persons, believed to be 'gau-rakshaks', publicly beating four partially-stripped Dalit youths at Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, had gone viral.
The victims' contention was that they were just skinning a dead cow and had not killed it, whereas the accused alleged these youths were involved in cow slaughter.
The Chief Minister condemned the incident and appealed the people to maintain peace.
"It was indeed a despicable act, and no community can tolerate it. Local police was also at fault, as they did not acted swiftly. Apart from arresting the culprits, we have also suspended such policemen yesterday. State government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakhs to each of the victims," she said.
"I have asked the authorities to take strict action to see that such incidents do not happen again. I appeal people to control their anger and emotions. I appeal youths to stay away from violence. I also request youths not to take any extreme step," the CM said.
Earlier today, Congress state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela, met Governor O P Kohli and handed over a memorandum on the issue.
"We informed the Governor the state machinery has completely failed in protecting Dalits. This was not the first incident, as such incidents are common under the BJP rule here. We want the entire probe to be done under a sitting high court judge," Solanki said after meeting the Governor.
Vaghela said the party will request their vice president
Rahul Gandhi to visit Una.
"We will request Rahulji to visit Una to meet these Dalit victims and understand their pain and console them," said Vaghela, adding the media will be informed about Rahul's visit after getting confirmation.
"Till now, as many as 16 persons, who had allegedly thrashed Dalits, have been arrested while the process to arrest other accused is on," in-charge DGP P P Pandey said in a press release.
The probe will be carried out under the supervision of an IG and SP-level officer of CID-Crime, while the actual investigation will be handled by a team led by a Deputy SP level officer, stated the release.
Meanwhile, RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) came out in support of Dalits and condemned the entire incident.
In a release, prant-sangh chalak of Gujarat RSS, Mukesh Malkan, said the atrocities on Dalits by the "so-called cow protectors" were very "unfortunate and painful".
"Such atrocities on our Dalit brothers is a loathsome crime and the culprits must be given harsh punishment. Such incidents should be a matter of concern for all of us. Sangh believes such incidents should not be used to create rift between various communities for political purpose" stated the release.
VHP, too, condemned the incident and alleged that some elements are harassing Dalits by involving their profession of skinning with cow slaughter.
"VHP condemns the atrocities on Dalits in Una town. They were targeted wrongfully by some elements by claiming the Dalit youths were involved in cow slaughter. In reality, they were only doing their ancestral work," a release by Gujarat VHP leader Ranchhod Bharwad said.
