Left, JD-U leaders meet victims, slam BJP

Rajkot, July 23

Attacking the BJP government over the Dalit thrashing incident, leaders of various non-BJP parties today accused it of being “anti-Dalit” and promoting “Hindutva fascist forces” even as they questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “deafening silence” over it.

A host of leaders met the victims at the Rajkot civil hospital and Mota Samadhiyala village, and lashed out at the BJP dispensation for not taking prompt action against those behind the beating.

CPM politburo member Brinda Karat, who also visited Mota Samadhiyala village where seven people belonging to a Dalit community were brutally flogged by self-styled cow vigilantes, took exception to Modi’s “deafening silence” over the incident.

JD-U stalwart Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja and Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grand son Prakash Ambedkar also visited the victims, expressing strong concern and anguish over the incident. Yadav lashed out at the state government for not taking prompt action against the culprits and questioned the BJP’s claim of safeguarding the Dalits’ interests.

He said victims were beaten up with public looking on and police did not act despite a police station being located nearby. “We have come here to give encouragement, strength to the victims and their family members...The state government did not take prompt action which indicates how the government is concerned about the safety of Dalits,” Yadav said.

“Had the government been competent (in protecting Dalits), no atrocity would have taken place.,” he said, while demanding immediate release of dalits jailed on “fake charges”.

Raja, who accompanied Yadav, said the incident was a “projection and promotion of Hindutva fascist politics”.

Seven persons from the same family were beaten up by self-styled cow vigilantes for skinning a dead cow, sparking protest and condemnation after its videos went viral. The police have arrested 16 persons. — PTI