‘Dalits Are Not Safe’: Jignesh Mevani on Apathy of Gujarat Govt

Mevani claims that the moustache protests on social media is a positive display of the Dalit youth’s aggression.

Jignesh Mevani. (Photo: Lijumol Joseph/ The Quint)

Reports of three Dalit boys being allegedly harassed in Gujarat over sporting a moustache were followed by pictures of various Dalit men showcasing their moustaches as a means of protest against the failure of the state government to protect its own citizens.

Ahead of Gujarat Assembly elections, expected to be held at the end of the year, The Quint spoke to Dalit rights activist Jignesh Mevani about the growing violence against Dalits, at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.

Mevani claimed that it was the callousness, inaction, and sheer negligence of the state government that caused casteist elements in the state to freely beat up Dalits.

Dalits constitute seven percent of the population of Gujarat.

With an anti-BJP sentiment lurking among the Dalit population, will the alleged negligence of the state government cost them dearly in the upcoming elections?

Video Producer: Anmol Saini

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Also read: Dalits of Gujarat Will Certainly Vote Against BJP: Jignesh Mevani

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