Time has come for dalits to assert their rights: Mevani
Face of the Gujarat dalit movement Jignesh Mevani gave a call to community members to take part in a march to Jaipur high court on December 6, the ‘mahaparinirvan diwas’ of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, to burn copies of ‘Manusmriti which is a two-millennium old book on the Hindu caste system written by Manu.
An idol of Manu in front of the lawn of the Jaipur high court has been in the thick of controversy. Installed on March 3, 1989, dalits have been demanding removal of the statue from the court premises. A petition is also pending before the Jaipur high court in this regard.
Mevani was in the state capital on Saturday to address dalits at Ambedkar Mahasabha. On the occasion, the Ambedkar Mahasabha felicitated Mevani with ‘Dr Ambedkar Ratna’ and famous sculptor Amarnath Prajapati handed over a statue of the dalit icon to him. Mevani is on a whirlwind tour of Uttar Pradesh to reach out to dalits as part of the movement.
Addressing the gathering Mevani said: “Time has come for dalits to assert their rights,” and added further, “The Rohith Vemula incident and flogging of dalits in Una have proved to be catalyst for the community. After the Una incident, dalits gave vent to their ire by coming out on the streets and staging demonstrations in Ahmedabad.”
Announcing the next stage of dalit movement, Mevani said a rally will be organised at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on November 27. “Dalits from all across the country will assemble at the Ramlila Maidan on November 27 for the rally. This will send a message that the community will no longer tolerate atrocities and wants equal rights,” asserted Mevani.
Elaborating about the proposed December 6 movement, he said, “Dalits from all across the country will reach Jaipur on December 6 to take part in a march to Jaipur high court where copies of Manusmriti will be burnt.” After the Jaipur rally an appeal would also be made to dalits to stop cleaning of manholes and disposing of dead animals, he added.
Also speaking on the occasion, president of Ambedkar Mahasabha Lalji Prasad Nirmal demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must intervene to stop attacks on dalits. He also asked Modi to convene a meeting of all chief ministers on the issue.