The issue of untouchability of the Dalits in Gujarat got the saffron tint in the assembly on Tuesday, when the deputy CM Nitin Patel dragged the issue towards Hindutva. Participating in the debate, Patel said that BJP government worked to keep Hindus united and make the Dalit community active. The debate on the report by CEPT University on untouchability in the state was discussed during question hour.
Congress MLA from Gadhada Pravin Maru had asked what actions the government took after the report. The government replied that different offices had been informed to act according to the recommendations made by CEPT University in the report. Meanwhile, the deputy leader of opposition Shailesh Parmar said the government did not take actions to eradicate untouchability. He also sought the answer from the government that if they would publish the report or put the same in public domain or not.
Heated arguments were exchanged between ruling party and opposition over the condition of Dalit community in Gujarat. Parmar also alleged that there were many cases in recent history too, that Dalit community faced not only physical untouchability but mental untouchability also.
Raising a point of order, deputy CM Nitin Patel said, "We have endowed nationalism in our ideology from our party leaders. We have always made effort to unite Hindu community so that they become stronger and nation also becomes strong as well. Our efforts are in the direction to make Dalit community active in strengthening Hindu community, they cooperate with others and get the position in the mainstream. We are committed to do this."
Intervening in the issue, CM Vijay Rupani raised from his seat and said, "The BJP government always tried to bring harmony and equality among communities and there is no question of Hindu-Muslim or other. We have accepted the recommendations of the report and implemented too, like in mid-day meal, children from all religions and castes sit together. Acting a step ahead beyond to the report, our government has formed special atrocity court for Dalit community."
"So far the issue of putting report in public domain is concerned, the same was not the report by any commission constituted by government. The state government had assigned CEPT to give report on untouchability in state for its own purpose and it is not mandatory to publish the same but our government took stringent actions against accused in atrocity act related cases," Rupani added.
Congress fires charges at govt
Congress MLA Maru also asked question that why the NGO Navsarjan, working for Dalit community was forced to be defunct. The social justice and empowerment minister Ishwar Parmar said the NGO had prepared a report with the intention to tarnish the image of Gujarat government. They had presented the picture of condition of Dalit community in Gujarat based on myths.
