Ahmedabad: Looking for another alternative, Dalits feel that there wasn’t any significant progress made by BJP in their favour, nor could Congress come up with a concrete solution to resolve deep-rooted discrimination.
From four men getting brutally beaten-up in Una to two Dalits getting killed for sporting a moustache, Dalits get discriminated and are subjected to atrocities.
“The BJP has been in power for two decades and the Hindutva model it forces has done nothing to end discrimination, but the Congress did no better. What prevailed then is perpetuated now,” says Madhu Koradia, a social worker and a Dalit.
Ratnesh, who lives in Gujarat’s Anand district is a history major. He does not use a surname to protect himself from being discriminated, quotes Hindustan Times.
While, Laxmiben who lives in a slum and is a waste picker by profession, says even in the metropolis of Ahmedabad, Dalits are kept at a distance by the other castes.
Another social activist and lawyer from Gujarat, Jignesh Mevani says: “Political awareness among the Dalits is high. They are frustrated by their representatives in the BJP and Congress and are looking for an alternative.”