Vibrant Gujarat, which has become a much trumpeted model of development in the country is not able to hide the cases of caste abuse effectively. MLA from Vadgam constituency Jignesh Mevani exposed the ugly facet of the society by coming on Facebook Live showing the injustice to the world. Mevani asked the senior IPS officer to take necessary steps to eradicate untouchability from the village.
Mevani who arrived in Gadhada taluka of Botad district to attend a program on social harmony, was told by villagers that the dalits living in the village of Mandavadhar were illtreated with practice of untouchability. The barber in the village does not cut his hair neither are they allowed to enter the village temple. Nt only that, cold drink sellers have separate glasses for them and food stall owners do not allow them to eat at the stall. Based on this information, Mevani visited Bhajipav stall by doing Facebook live. He also asked two members of the Dalit community to eat Bhajipav at the stall itself. The MLA from Vadgam was accompanied by a police sub-inspector. In a conversation with Mevani, the owner of a Bhajipav stall admitted that there was truth in an earlier complaint that Dalits were being given food in parcels and not allowed to have food on the counter.
In this video, Mevani is seen warning to stop practicing untouchability. Mevani said that this is illegal and if it is repeated, an offense could be registered against him.
Mevani then visited the village temple with some dalits and spent a few minutes there. He is also seen publicising the complaints of Dalits that they are not allowed to go inside the temple by the priests present in the temple. Subsequently, Mevani spoke to the Additional Director General of Police (SC / ST Cell) Vikas Sahay on the issue and requested him to take necessary action and ensure that no untoward incident takes place in the village.
