‘SCs have right to ride horses’

A day after independent MLA and Scheduled Caste (SC) leader Jignesh Mevani’s attack on Vijay Rupani-led Gujarat government for its “silence” over attacks on SC community youths for riding horses during wedding processions, Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja on Wednesday said that “riding horses during wedding is the right of SC community and that right will always be with them.”

Facing criticism for the back-to-back blockades and attacks on SC youths for riding horses by upper caste communities, Jadeja said that “Gujarat police has issued circulars to its officers to hold meetings with the community leaders of all castes so that such incidents don’t occur.”

He defended the government by claiming that offenders are being booked and measures are being taken to prevent occurrences.

Addressing reporters, Jadeja said that “Dalit community youths have the right to ride horses in Gujarat, and it is sad that such incidents are happening.”

Jadeja claimed that police has taken action against the culprits. He blamed “some people” for trying to create unrest in the state.

He said that police protection was provided in several cases where it was asked for. He said the police will always be available to provide security. Jadeja also said that those who “lost elections are trying to disturb the peace of Gujarat.”

Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani criticised the government and alleged that Constitutional rights are being violated in the state. The state government should take strong action against offenders who are practising untouchability.

“But we have seen in the past that the government is trying to protect culprits, be it the case of Thangadh (firing on Dalit youths), Una Dalit flogging or other similar incidents. The government has not served justice to those victims until today.”

On Tuesday, independent MLA Jignesh Mevani had announced to hold meetings to start a movement against the state government.

He had criticised Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and BJP MLAs from the SC community for keeping quiet over the atrocities.