Jethiben Rathod (right)

On 11 September 2016 they met MLA Rajanikant Patel, MP Kirit Solanki and on 12 September they met the state's social justice and empowerment minister Atmaram Parmar and his parliamentary secretary Jethabhai Solanki and gave them their memorandum of demands and gave a deadline of 24 September 2016 to fulfil their demands.

As the protest was unheeded, Dalits started a Dharana at Sector-6, Gandhinagar. Here, they were joined by five more families who were also demanding justice. Thus, Dalits from total ten villageds including Vadli, Samter, Akolali, Ningala, Karadi, Ola, Sarvai, Bhada, Dharesvar, Savarkundala have joined the protest. Since October 10, the protesting Dalits resorted to a hunger strike. While 8 of them are continuing the fast, six have been admitted in hospital.  

The details of each village and victims are as follows:
1. 22 members of a scheduled caste family were compelled to migrate from their village Vadli (Tehsil Rajula, Dist. Amreli) and they have been living in the premises of Amreli collector office since nine months. Lalji Babariya’s 17 years old daughter was abducted from her own home and raped. Police after delay of 34 hours got the girl medically examined and the medical examination report gave clean cheat to the accused, who is now on bail. The frightened family left their village. Still today they have not been given the allotted plot of land. Today one member of the family, Dhanjibhai Babariya has started fast at Gandhinagar.

2. In the year 2012, one youth Laljibhai Sarvaiya of village Ankolali (Taheshil Una, Dist. Gir Somnath) was burnt in his own home by Caste Hindus. They poured kerosene on him from the roof and killed him brutally. The entire family of 14 members migrated from the village and took a rented house in Una. The family has not been given promised land and ultimately one member of the family, Piyush has joined the victims at Gandhinagar.

3. In the year 2012, Bhimabhai Chauhan of Samter (Taheshil Una, Dist. Gir Somnath) was murdered by Savarnas of his village. They received demand draft of Rs. Five lakh from Ambedkar Foundation, New Delhi. But the DD was in favour of Bhimabhai’s father who had already been died before 10 years. Even after letters of Collector from Gir Somnath to rectify the mistake, Bhimabhai’s heirs have not been given the said amount. Now Jethabhai, son of Bhimabhai joined this struggle.

4. Ramesh Govindbhai Vanjara of Ningala village (Taheshil Khamba, Dist. Amreli) was brutally lynched in the year 2014. Three daughters of Ramesh are now orphan because his wife had also been died before few years. And the most tragic thing is that four of their family have been jailed as police have falsely implicated them in death of a police cop during a rally to protest Una flogging. So mother Dhaniben and paralytic father of Ramesh joined this struggle for justice. Govindbhai and Dhaniben both are critical and they have been hospitalised. Govinbhai has been shifted to civil hospital, Ahmedabad.

5. A dalit army man of Karadi village (Taheshil Sayla, Dist. Surendra Nagar) was shot dead in the year 2010. The accused have been acquitted by the lower court. The prosecution done by local police was shoddy and biased. Mother and father of this slain army man demanding CBI inquiry has now started Dharana with other victims in Gandhinagar. Mother Jethiben has been admitted in civil hospital, Gandhinagar as her condition became critical after joining indefinite hunger strike.

6. 17 years old Mitesh was thrown from second floor in Vatava area of Ahemedabad city. Mitesh died on the spot and his family had to migrate from their own home. Demanding status of “Migrant” (Hijarati), the entire family has sit on Dharana with other victims.

7. Shamatbhai (TaheshilJafrabad Dist. Amreli) was attacked and grievously injured in the year 2013. He had to migrate from his village and settled at another village of Gir district. Fighting for the status of “migrant”(Hijarati) Shamatbhai joined with the victims in Gandhinagar.

8. Rajubhai, a dalit youth was kidnapped and murdered in the year 2011. Still today his murderers have not been arrested by the police. Rajubhai’s brother Babubhai has also joined the fight for justice in Gandhinagar.

9. Rajvi Bindesh of Ola village (TaheshilKalol, Dist. Gandhinagar) was attacked by local bootleggers and he had to migrate with his family. Bindesh’s also joined the fight.

10. Police have falsely implicated more than three hundred persons in death of a police cop in Amreli city. In fact dalits had organised a protest rally and police determined to crush the rebel after Una atrocity fabricated the case. Mulabhai, father of Kanti Vala, who was the organiser of the rally and now in jail also joined this struggle and with him Baghabhai Babaria has also joined the fight because his son is also in jail in the case.

11. We have also demanded immediate removal of Dy SP and in charge of atrocity cell Mr. Bharvad of Amreli district as Mr. Bharvad is notorious for his anti- dalit bias and he has also been responsible for acquittal of atrocious Darbars (Kshatriya).

The victims of caste atrocities are fighting for justice at Pratirodh Chavani at Gandhinagar. They are on indefinite hunger strike. Gujarat government, still, has not shown any kind of sympathy for their demands. Slain soldier’s mother wants to give back medals.

Representation of Jethiben Jahabhai Rathod , village karadi, Taluko Sayala, District Surendranagar, to the Governor of Gujarat, Raj Bhawan, Gandhinagar, to return the medals her soldier son:
 

(This article was first published on Counter View. Additional inputs to Sabrang India staff provided by Raju Solanki).

The post ‘Pratirodh’: Dalits from 10 Gujarat Villages unite to combat Caste Atrocities appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Those who cannot make it to Gujarat, there is an Appeal: Please do hold demonstrations in your respective states. Mumbai Expressed Mass solidarity on Friday, August 12, 2016.
There are demonstrations planned across the country including in Delhi.

Chalo Chalo, Una Chalo!

This unqiue protest was the culmination of the Dalit community of Gujarat's revolt, a revolt that lasted for weeks, when they refused to pick up cow carcasses in at least a dozen villages of the state. This was a unique protest after seven Dalit men were beaten by right wing miscreants ('gau rakshaks') in Una on July 11, 2016.  The perpetrators, obviously proud of their acts, uploaded a video of the ghastly beating on social media where it went viral. The Dalit community protested against the violence by disposing off dead animals in front of government offices. They have refused to pick up dead animals in several locations compelling the 'dirty' job consigned to them by the hierarchy of caste to be done by others. The entire movement has been a movement for the dignity of labour.  The Dalit's job or work is so assigned by the Indian (read Hindu) caste system.

The Pledge

This is how the March Began

"We, the members of the Dalit community, residents of Damnagar, (Gujarat,India) pledge that, we will never in our lives take part in disposing dead animals or getting into sewer lines for cleaning. We also won't take part in the skinning of cows. Instead, we will demand from the Government that they allot five acres of land to us"

– Jignesh Mevani administers a pledge at Damnagar. After the ‪#‎DalitAsmitaYatra (March for Assesion of Dalit Dignity and Livelihood) left from Ahmedabad towards UNA, this exercise -of administering of the Pledge– has been repeated at every village on the way of the Yatra by the Una Dalit Atyachar Ladat Samiti.

It has been a unique journey covering 81 kilometres.

The  Dalits of Gujarat –demonised and invisible — are setting the agenda for the country. The Dalits of Gujarat took an Oath Not to Die, to Never Die. The Pledge wows to end a Life of Sevility and Slavery, Working in the Sewers, Skinning Dead Animals, Living with the Stench and Stigma..  

Maila against ‪#‎chalouna 
 

 
#ChaloUna Day 1, AUGUST 5, 2016

#ChaloUna Day 2, AUGUST 6, 2016

Village Valthera, Dholka block, District Ahmedabad. More and more Dalits are seen taking pledge to call it a day to end the caste-imposed tradition of disposing dead cattle. The Dalits of the Dholka block of Ahmadabad district taking pledge to call it a day to depose dead cattle and instead demanding land at the location of the Siddhartha Hostel Foundation, an institute that was put up by Dr.Ambedkar himself in the mid 1930's

There were huge gatherings at village Kaunth in Ahmadabad during the historic Padaytra (Dalit asmita yatra). The struggle is on

#ChaloUna, Day 3, AUGUST 7, 2016

Ii was on the second day of thee March that prime minister, Narendra Modi broke his silence and spoke. In his speech on August 6, 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally expressed his views on the cow vigilantes.

#ChaloUna Residents of Vasna and surrounding villages pledge to never dispose dead cattle and fight for land rights.

#ChaloUna Public meeting at Vasna village near Dhandhuka. Today, the march will end with a meeting at Dhandhuka.

#ChaloUnaResidents of Merawadi, Dhandhuka, pledge not to dispose off dead cattle ever again.
 
#ChaloUna March to Una will proceed from Dhandhuka to Barwala covering a distance of 30 kilometres
 

#ChaloUna Road side public meeting at Rayka village, Gujarat with slogans of 'Dalit-Muslim Ekta' (Dalit-Muslim Unity) Zindabad. This is crucial given the schisms that had been operational especially in 2002.

 
#ChaloUna Public meeting at Loliya village. Dalits of this village have stopped the disposal of dead cattle for the past 15 years

 
#ChaloUna March for Una in Loliya village. The Marchers had lunch at Loliya village and then moved towards Dhandhuka.
 

#ChaloUna A Huge public gathering near the Ambedkar statue in Dhandhuka. This will where the march to Una will stop today.
 
#ChaloUna It is 7:46 pm and march to Una just reached our last stop Dhandhuka to a huge reception.

 
#ChaloUna Day 4, AUGUST 8, 2016 summarized in one picture. Come and join this Dalit uprising and join the march to Una.

#ChaloUna A Public meeting at Kundal village. Every village along the march has pledged to fight Brahmanvaad (Brahminical Domination).

#ChaloUna Dalit women of Kundal village are seen below pledging to never dispose off dead cattle ever again.

Gathering at Barwala block of Ahmadabad district as part of Dalit asmita yatra

#ChaloUna PHOTO Barwala 2

#ChaloUna Public meeting at Barwala. This is the last stop for today. Tomorrow, the March to Una will proceed to Botad.

 
#ChaloUna  Come and join this Dalit uprising and join the march to Una.

#ChaloUna Little friends from Polarpur village in Gujarat.

#ChaloUna Public meeting at the Polarpur village, Barwala Taluka.

 
#ChaloUna Public meeting at Rojid village, Barwala Taluka. Dalit. Activists from many states have joined the march.

#ChaloUna Dalits of Polarpur village, Barwala Taluka pledge to fight against the caste system.

#ChaloUnaThe Crowds Keep Swelling. Chalo Chalo…Una Chalo! Sarangpur, Bela and so many Villages are Waking Up..

#ChaloUna Dalits of Sarangpur pledge to never dispose off dead cattle and march to Una on Aug 15, in huge numbers.

#ChaloUna Public meeting at Bela village. Dalits here tell us that they have stopped disposing dead cows because of the Una Atrocity and Humiliation

#ChaloUna DAY 6, August 10, 2016

Dalits of Senthali Village pledge like every other village on this route – 'You deal with your dead Gau mata', ('You Deal with the Cow Mother').

#ChaloUna DAY 7, August 11, 2016
 
At ‪#‎DalitAsmitaYatra

Patels, and Other Backward Castes (OBCs) and Muslims come out in support of Dalits in Savarkundala. 

#ChaloUna  The March for Una enters Javaraj village,Gujarat.

#ChaloUna Women of Javaraj village march forward with slogans of Aazadi (Freedom) from Manuvaad, from Brahmanvaad (Caste and Brahmanical Domination).

#ChaloUna Residents of Javaraj village pledged to fight for alternative employment than the ones enforced by caste.

#ChaloUna DAY 8, August 12, 2016

#ChaloUna Public meeting at Tagdi village, Gujarat. Residents have promised to join the Mahasammelan at Una on August 15.

#ChaloUna DAY 9, August 13, 2016

#ChaloUna The Dalit Asmita Yatra will march from Rajula to Timbi covering a distance of 35 kms. Chalo Chalo, Una…

Another Pledge for Alternative Employment

 
The Truth About the Gujarat Models, In a Dalit Basti

गुजरात मॉडल का सच, बदहाल है दलित बस्तियां

आजादी मार्च में एक दिन, हिमांशु पंड्या 

31 जुलाई 2016 इस देश के लिए एक ऐतिहासिक दिन था। उस दिन अहमदाबाद में बीस हजार दलितों ने प्रतिज्ञा ली कि जाति व्यवस्था ने मैला उठाने और मरे पशुओं का चर्म उतारने का जो काम उनपर थोपा है, उसको आज के बाद वे कभी नहीं करेंगे। इस प्रतिज्ञा के पीछे तात्कालिक कारण बना उना में चार दलित युवकों के साथ कथित गोरक्षकों का बर्बर अत्याचार। इस दलित महासम्मेलन के बाद ही 5 से 15 अगस्त तक ‘आजादी मार्च’ या ‘दलित स्वाभिमान यात्रा’ की घोषणा हुई। रविवार की सुबह कोठ का आंबेडकर चौक। यात्रा से पहले गांव के एक बुजुर्ग ने आंबेडकर प्रतिमा के सामने बीड़ी छोड़ देने का संकल्प लिया। कोठ में कल रैली निकल चुकी थी, आंबेडकर चौक से सीधे गांव के बाहर निकलने का रास्ता था, पर फैसला हुआ कि पूरे गांव से निकलता हुआ लंबा रास्ता पकड़कर ही बाहर निकला जाए। कोठ में तीन महीने पहले कुछ दलित युवकों के साथ उत्पीड़न की घटना का दाग अभी गहरा है इसलिए इस आग्रह को समझा जा सकता है। हमारे साथ पुलिस की दो बड़ी गाड़ियां और पांच जीपें चल रही हैं। एक बस के ऊपर ‘रायट कंट्रोल व्हीकल’ लिखा है। मेरी कार में एक बुजुर्ग और पांच ऊधमी बच्चे बैठे हैं। पांचों बच्चे जाने कहाँ से सीख आए हैं कि हर पुलिसवाले को देखकर जोर से चिल्लाते हैं- ‘जय भीम!’ यात्रा में ढेर सारी लड़कियां जोर-जोर से नारे लगा रही हैं- ‘हम क्या चाहते? आजादी! ब्राहमणवाद से आजादी! सामंतवाद से आजादी! पूंजीवाद से आजादी! जातिवाद से आजादी! मनुवाद से आजादी!’ 

पहला गांव जवाराज। मंच, जाजम, माइक सब तैयार है। यात्रियों के लिए चाय भी। मार्च के संयोजक जिग्नेश मेवाणी पूरे गाँव को प्रतिज्ञा दिलाते हैं- हम इस गांव के सभी दलित आंबेडकर के नाम पर प्रतिज्ञा करते हैं कि मैला उठाएंगे नहीं! गटर में उतरेंगे नहीं! मरे पशु के चमड़े का काम करेंगे नहीं! इसकी जगह हम सरकार से अपनी जमीन, अपने वाजिब हक के लिए लड़ेंगे। जवाराज में हरियाणा से आई दलित एक्टिविस्ट मनीषा मशाल ने एक आग उगलता भाषण दिया। वे बीच में रुकती हैं- ‘आपको मेरी बात (हिंदी) समझ में तो आ रही है ना?’ ‘पूरी! पूरी! आप जारी रखो बहन!’ सब एक साथ चिल्लाते हैं। सचमुच दुखों की भाषा सार्वभौम होती है। दूसरा गांव गुंडी। यहां दलितों के घर दो-तीन ही हैं पर स्थानीय लोगों के उत्साह और सहभागिता में कोई कमी नहीं है। जब जिग्नेश कहते हैं कि ‘गाय नूं पूछड़ूं तम्हें राखो, अमने अमारी जमीन आपो!’ तो पूरा जनसमूह दुगुने जोश से इसे दोहराता है। रास्ते में एक जगह रोक कर हमें फाफड़ा-मिर्ची खिलाया जाता है। आगे लोलिया गांव में भोजन हमारा इंतजार कर रहा है। हर जगह खाने और रात में रुकने का इंतजाम दलित परिवारों द्वारा ही किया गया है। लोलिया के दलित परंपरागत थोपे गए काम पहले ही त्याग चुके हैं इसलिए जिग्नेश वहां यह संदेश अड़ोस-पड़ोस के गांवों में ले जाने का आह्वान करते हैं। बात की बात में पांच नौजवान इसके लिए तैयार हो जाते हैं। जिग्नेश के पीछे उत्साही, प्रतिबद्ध, जागरूक नौजवानों की पूरी टोली है। शाम ढल रही है और जिग्नेश को छेड़ने के लिए नारा लगता है। ‘तुम्हारे पास रूपाणी है, हमारे पास मेवाणी है!’ सब हंस पड़ते हैं। ये नौजवान इस यात्रा की रीढ़ हैं। उन्हें और इस यात्रा को बहुत दूर जाना है। नया भारत बनाना है।
 
References:
1. If Cow s Your Mother, You Bury Her: Gujarat Dalits Cry Liberation 
2. Dalit Revolt in Hindutva's Successful Laboratory: Gujarat

The post Chalo Una: This Unique 21st Century Dalit Assertion, in Pictures appeared first on SabrangIndia.