Lucknow: In a 2016 case wherein atrocities were reported against dalits in Una of Gir Somnath district in Gujarat, BSP national president Mayawati on Friday called out the local court’s decision, taken in March, to acquit almost all the accused involved.The reason why she raised the matter was the financial and other difficulties faced by the dalit families who are now seeking justice in the high court in the matter.“This disturbing and bitter truth has spread widespread concern, especially among the people of the Bahujan Samaj,” said Mayawati.She added that the particular reason for her concern was also that she herself had gone there to meet the victims, and demanded strict action against the culprits from the state govt. In Jul 2016, a mob had publicly assaulted seven members of a dalit family in a village near Una town, accusing them of killing a cow. In March, Veraval sessions court acquitted 35 men accused of partially stripping and flogging Dalits.“Despite the anger and outrage against it across the country, the news of 35 out of 40 accused being acquitted seems to be the result of govt’s malice towards Dalits, and negligence and indifference towards their welfare and security,” said the BSP chief.Mayawati said that the Gujarat govt may still argue the case in the HC and ensure that the guilty receive strict punishment.She asked the state govt to provide lawyers to the victims at its own expense, as her BSP govt earlier in UP had made a legal provision for free legal aid for the poor.
