As the news of the suicide attempt spread, hundreds of Dalits gathered at the hospital to show solidarity with the cause, Kumari said.
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Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and the Gujarat Chief Minister had earlier visited the Dalit families in Una and the youth admitted to Rajkot hospitals.
“The beating happened in front of a police station in the presence of police.it means this is happening at the behest of the administration”.
He accused the Gujarat government of being “anti-Dalit”.
The Aam Aadmi Party Chief claimed that it was not an “isolated” incident and “atrocities” on dalits were being committed across Gujarat.
“What had happened in Una in Gujarat where four Dalit youths were thrashed and humiliated by a group in name of cow protection is result of the hate speeches made by Modi and other BJP leaders during the last Lok Sabha polls and later during Bihar Assembly elections past year relating to pink revolution, beef and cow protection that farmers now fear purchasing cows”, said Lalu Prasad.
The video of the thrashing went viral, sparking outrage nationwide.
16 people have been arrested so far in connection with the assault on Dalits, while four policemen have been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Kejriwal separately described the cow protection groups that have sprung up in recent times as “BJP goondas unleashed by the top BJP leadership to polarise society and create fear in the minds of people”.
After meeting the four victims here, Kejriwal told the media: “The culprits must get such punishment that it should shake them to the core”. He had tea in a saucer in traditional Saurashtra style. Flanked by a young girl and boy from Sarvaiya’s family, Kejriwal demanded government jobs to all the kin of the flogging victims.
“The Opposition parties and their Delhi-based leaders have politicised the issue with an eye on the Assembly polls”. “Yes we are doing politicis but only to ensure justice for dalits. The BJP’s politics is about suppressing Dalits”.
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“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.
