After Una flogging incident, Gujarat Congress decided to launch 'Dalit Swadhikar Andolan' from October 2
Cashing in on the Dalit uprising in Gujarat after the Una flogging incident, the state Congress on Friday decided to launch 'Dalit Swadhikar Andolan' from October 2 against the BJP-led state government.
"Dalits have been facing severe atrocities in the BJP ruled Gujarat. The inhumane Una flogging incident was the last straw that broke the camel's back," Leader of Opposition Shankarsinh Vaghela said.
"This BJP government is anti-dalit, anti-tribals, anti-OBC and anti-women...Their actions and statements prove that," he alleged.
A meeting of Scheduled Caste cell of Congress was held on Friday, where the party decided to launch the protest, Mr Vaghela said.
Congress state Scheduled Caste cell chairman Naushad Solanki said, "We have decided to launch an agitation 'Dalit Swadhikar Andolan' to fight for the rights of dalits, which are being crushed by the BJP government."
The community, under the banner of Dalit Atyachar Andolan Samiti has launched an agitation in Gujarat after the Una flogging incident. They have been protesting against the state government on various issues related to Dalit rights.
State assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Gujarat in later part of 2017.
Mr Solanki said they will give a charter of demands to the state government, which includes a demand for CBI inquiry for Una Dalit flogging incident.
As part of the protest, Congress' SC cell will take out a massive rally in Ahmedabad on October 2, Mr Solanki said, adding that after that more such rallies will be held in different parts of the state.
The Congress has also invited intellectuals and NGOs to join the agitation.