Tribal activist gives bandh call in Kevadiya over viral audio clip of officer

Statue of Unity: A local left leaning tribal activist and his supporters have announced a strike in Kevadiya tomorrow, alleging the usage of unsuitable words for the tribal community by Statue of Unity’s deputy collector Nilesh Dubey.

A purported audio clip of the deputy collector Nilesh Dubey had gone viral on social media. In the purported audio clop, he was saying to a person on call, “These are tribal people. They earlier didn’t get food. They used to sit outside wearing Chaddi (shorts). They now wear pants and shirts as they got jobs. They are the people eating herbs in jungles. They don’t have etiquettes. I will convince them a little.”

Local anti – government activist Praful Vasava said to a media, “These words are horrible and rude comment on tribal community, which is not at all good for the community. The voice is of Nilesh Dubey only. The audio is made viral by the employees of the Statue of Unity. Nilesh Dubey, under the protection of BJP, haven’t done this for the first time. He had earlier made an offensive comment for the employees and officials of tribal community. That’s why we claim that the state government should suspend such persons and take actions.”

He added, “We will give a memorandum to the district collector on Monday. The tribal organizations have declared strike in Kevadiya over the same. The complaints are being made regarding the same from local level to CM and PM by various bodies and various leaders.”