Ahmedabad: Dalit leaders, social activists, and representatives of various organisations met at the Shahibaug Circuit House on Sunday to finalise plans for a statewide programme marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Una flogging atrocity on July 11.Those present included Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani, Gujarat Congress SC cell chairperson Hitendra Pithadiya, social activists Dhruv Kalapi, Kamlesh Kataria, Subodh Parmar, Dikshit Parmar, and representatives of families affected by the atrocity.Attendees discussed the 2016 atrocity as a turning point for national discourse on caste discrimination, human dignity, and constitutional rights. Speakers also expressed concern over continuing incidents of atrocities, discrimination and social exclusion faced by Dalits, and stressed the need to uphold the constitutional values of equality, liberty, justice and dignity, stated a release by the group convened by activist Kanti Parmar.The leaders resolved that all future campaigns would remain peaceful, democratic and within the framework of the Constitution inspired by the ideals of Dr B R Ambedkar.Parmar said that a statewide programme will be organised on July 11 to commemorate the anniversary, with participation from Dalit organisations, youth, women, social activists and citizens committed to constitutional values. Organisers said the event would seek to highlight issues of social justice, protection of human rights, support for victims of atrocities and the promotion of equality and fraternity. They also appealed to people across Gujarat to participate in large numbers. Four Dalit youths were flogged in Una for skinning a dead cow by gau rakshaks on July 11, 2016.
