Junagadh:Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who was caught on camera in an embarrassing situation taking a nap during the debate on Dalits issue in Loksabha yesterday, visited this village under Una taluka of Gir-Somnath district today where members of dalit community were brutally beaten up by said cow-vigilantes a few days ago, an incident which has caused statewide violent protests.

Rahul, who arrived here by road from Diu airport spent a little over 35 minutes with the victims’ family members. He also saw the wounds of one of the victims by requesting him to remove his shirt. He had tea with victim family.

Kumari Shailja, a woman Congress leader from Dalit community, Gujarat party in-charge Gurudas Kamat, state Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki, former state president of Congress Siddharth Patel and other leaders were also present on the occasion.

A young boy and family member of the victims later took the role of translator during the conversation. Rahul watched video clip of atrocity incident. He gave his phone number to victim family.

Rahul, did not talk to the media here and the boy who played translator said that during the conversation the congress leader assured them of all possible help from his side. ‘He gave us a patient hearing and heard our case and other problems being faced by us and even shared his number with me for any future need,’ the boy said.

Gujarat Congress has announced to extend Rs 5 lakh relief to victims.

Rahul also visited Rajkot Civil hospital to meet those who were beaten up by self-style cow protectors. He also visited those who had attempted suicide

At the airport in Rajkot while speaking to media, Rahul Gandhi said: A few days back a video was watched by entire India. I also watched it. I met those families and that mother whose sons were beaten up by 40 persons. The father told me that they don’t see any path ahead. He was voicing that in Modi’s Gujarat we are daily beaten up and crushed. Some time back I went to Hyderabad where one youth had committed suicide. Delhi based government attacked his own family. It attacked those youths who were seeking their right. Today I visited Gujarat where 11 persons have in separate cases attempted suicide. It means that in entire Gujarat, those who are weak, whether they are from any section, those who are poor are being crushed. This is the fight between two ideologies. On one side there are Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel, Ambedkar and on the other side there are RSS, Govalkar and Modiji. Whoever raises his voice against this ideology, irrespective of any section, whoever fight for education, whoever challenged big corporate is crushed. I told that mother that she doesn’t need to fear. People of Gujarat, and Congress party is with them. ”

Praful Patel visits Mota Samadhiala

Former Union Minister and Senior NCP leader Praful Patel today said that the attack on youths of Dalit community here a few days back and the state-wide violence erupted thereafter seems to be part of a larger conspiracy to damage the social fiber of the country and also to malign the image of a progressive Gujarat.

Mr. Patel, during his visit to this village of Una taluka of Gir-Somnath district to meet the family members of the victims, also announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh for them terming it a small assistance from him and his party.

Talking to newsmen, he termed the incident an unfortunate and shameful one. He also said that the Gujarat government initiated action against the culprits late. Even the Chief Minister visited the village after 10 odd days of the incident.

He, however, said that it seemed to be part of larger conspiracy to disturb the social harmony and damage the social fiber in the state as well as other parts of the country. ”The violent protests in Gujarat are also maligning the image of this progressive state. Its image has already been marred by such past incidents and the recent incidents will damage it further,” Mr Patel said adding that the victims must get justice.

Mr. Patel will also go to Rajkot civil hospital today to meet some of the victims and those who had consumed poison to protest the Una incident.
Mr. Patel visit had preceded the visit of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi.

Ahmed Patel raises the issue in Rajya Sabha

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel raised Una issue in Rajya Sabha. He pointed out that first person to be arrested in Una atrocity case was a Muslim. He was a driver. Ahmed Patel cautioned the government that it should not practice majoritarianism.

Politics over an incident: Kejriwal jumps in

Ahmedabad:Ahead of his visit to Una to meet Dalits thrashed for skinning a dead cow, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal who is in search of some political space in Gujarat for his party today exhorted all community members to unite in the fight against Gujarat BJP’s “oppressive” regime.AAP fielded its Delhi based cadre Asutosh to further politicize the issue and spitting venom against BJP govt. In a video message released by party spokesperson Ashutosh at a press conference in Ahmedabad, the Delhi Chief Minister asked Dalit youths to not attempt suicide, responding to the news of more than a dozen and half protesting Dalit members attempting suicide in different places in the state over the Una incident. Kejriwal is scheduled to visit Una tomorrow.

“In Gujarat, some youths of Dalit community were beaten up so severely that it has shaken people’s conscience. Those who saw the video are raising questions over it. And we saw how at different places in Gujarat, Dalit community members tried to commit suicide. And this is not happening only with the Dalit community.It appears government here is trying to suppress other community members also.Protests by Patidar community members last year was peaceful but police resorted to violence and government jailed several youths under sedition charges.When I talk to businessmen here, they say they get phone calls that if you do this you will be killed. Government is spreading fear by scaring and beating people using its police.I feel everybody in Gujarat should come together.Dalits, Patidars, businessmen, all need to come together and stand against this oppression. The entire country is with you.Protesting members should maintain peace and Dalit youths should not attempt suicide.Why should you commit suicide ?We will fight, we will win, then why kill yourself ? If we all come together, then unity is strength. All community members should come together. We will win. The entire country is with you,” he said.

DeshGujarat