Dalit activists accuse Gujarat CM of ‘political untouchability’ after meeting denied

A group of Dalit activists from Gujarat went to meet Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel today to address unresolved issues affecting Dalit communities in the state. However, their request for a formal meeting with CM Patel was denied.

The representatives accused the CM of engaging in “political untouchability” by refusing to discuss the concerns of Dalits.

Around 30 to 35 Dalit workers arrived at the CM’s public relations office (PRO) today, seeking to present their concerns directly to CM Patel at the Secretariat, and discuss long standing issues affecting Dalits that remain unresolved.

Every Monday, CM Patel holds meetings with applicants and visitors from across the region.

However, according to the representatives, they were made to sit at the office and were questioned by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home department, where they submitted their concerns in writing.

After their meeting request was denied by the CMO, the representatives threatened to launch a state-wide agitation if the state government fails to take action on their demands by September 23, 2024 (Sankalp Divas).

What are their demands?

1) Conduct a caste-based census.

2) Address the discrimination in withdrawing criminal cases, ensuring that cases against Dalits are treated as those of the Patidar movement.

3) Provide modern machinery for cleaning to improve working conditions.

4) Increase caste-based loan assistance for marginalised communities.

5) Revise the income limit for scholarship/free-ship card eligibility.

6) Ensure possession of allotted lands and prioritise new land allotments, particularly for widows and women from the Valmiki community.