Una incident: A writer associated with Congress to return his award
July 26, 2016
Ahmedabad: As a mark of protest against the thrashing of Dalit youths in Una, Amrutlal Makwana, a Dalit writer from Gujarat, today announced that he would return the award conferred on him by the state government, accusing the administration of having no sympathy for the community.
Makwana told PTI he would return his award, including Rs 25,000 cash, to District Collector of Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Makwana, a resident of Wadhwan town of Surendranagar district, said, “Such incidents are occurring in Gujarat on a regular basis but the government is not doing enough to ensure that Dalits get justice.”
The 44-year-old writer, who has been associated with Congress, was conferred the ‘Dasi Jeevan Shreshth Dalit Sahitya Kruti Award’ for 2012-13 by Gujarat government for his work ‘Kharapat Nu Dalit Lok Sahitya’. He was given Rs 25,000 cash along with a certificate and a shawl.
“What happened in Mota Samadhiyala village of Gir-Somnath district was ghastly and barbaric. Such atrocities on Dalits are condemnable and it shook me to the core. Sadly, such incidents are happening around us regularly,” he said.
“Around 50 persons thrashed some Dalit youths but only 16 were arrested. Why are other people still roaming free? I doubt the government’s intentions. I no longer have faith in this government. If the leaders do not have any sympathy for Dalits, there is no meaning in keeping such awards,” he said.
The writer fears that this case will meet the same fate as Thangadh police firing case, wherein three Dalit youths were allegedly killed in police firing four years ago.
“Even after four years, there is no progress in Thangadh firing case. What is the guarantee that this new case will not meet the same fate? With utter grief and pain, I hereby announce to return my award, including Rs 25,000 given to me by the government,” Makwana said.
On July 11, some Dalit youths from Mota Samadhiyala, who were skinning a dead cow were flogged by “cow protection” vigilantes, alleging that they had killed the cow.
After a video of the incident went viral, it sparked off violent protests across Gujarat.
PTI
Related Stories
Una incident: Gujarat human rights panel seeks action-taken report
Una row: It's Peepli Live going on here
Una row: Home Minister visits late cop Pankaj Amrelia's house in Amreli
Una row: 3 Dalits attempt suicide; situation peaceful
Gujarat incident being politicised: Union Minister
Veraval Sessions Judge court declared as designated court for Una case
Strict actions against those indulging in violence, damage public property: DGP
Rahul was sleeping during Una debate in parliament, now shedding crocodile tears: BJP
48 cases against 3,000 to 5,000 for violent protests so far: Additional DGP
Rahul Gandhi, Praful Patel visit Mota Samadhiala, Rajkot in Gujarat, Rs 7 lakh relief announced
Una incident: Low key protests continue in pockets for brief periods
Una row: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visits Rajkot Civil Hospital
Una row: Gujarat Police releases list of 16 accused, probe to be completed in 30 days
Forced closures, stone pelting, arson and violence during Gujarat Bandh, CM appeals for peace again
Una row: Rajnath Singh's statement in Lok Sabha
Partial impact of Gujarat bandh in some pockets, mainly in Saurashtra
Una row: Anandiben visits Mota Samadhiyala, says she would visit again in 2 months
An organization called 'Dalit Panthers' calls for Gujarat bandh
Politics over Una atrocity case: Rahul, Kejriwal to visit Samadhiyala village
Ramanlal Vora slams Congress for giving political color to Una atrocity incident, reminds it Golana incident
Una incident:CM, others appeal for peace as over 500 detained amid fresh violent protests, policeman killed
Una atrocity case: Ahmed Patel slams govt, appeals for peace and harmony
Una atrocity protest: 3 ST buses set ablaze, BRTS station targetted, 5 km long jam
Gujarat CM orders CID Crime probe into Una incident, chargesheet in 60 days, designated court
Recent Stories
- Swiggy Limited’s initial public offering to open on November 06, 2024
- PM Modi attends Rashtriya Ekta Divas function at Statue of Unity in Gujarat
- India's Defence Revolution Takes Flight! PM Modi writes Post on Tata Airbus Vadodara complex
- 10 candidates in fray in Vav assembly by-election
- GST evasion of Rs. 2.70 crore in jewelery and bullion sector uncovered in Gujarat
- PM Modi attends wedding of Savjibhai Dholakia's son Dravya in Gujarat
- Gujarat CM, Ministers to celebrate Diwali with PMAY beneficieries