Dalits Protest in Ahmedabad; Man Who Attempted Suicide On Una Dies

Man who attempted suicide to protest Una Dalit thrashing dies

Members of India’s low-caste Dalit community hold a banner as they gather for a rally to protest against the attack on their community members in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, July 31, 2016.Dalits have been protesting after four men belonging to their community (shown in photograph in the banner) were beaten while trying to skin a dead cow in Una in western Gujarat state early this month. The banner in Gujarati reads “shame shame, Give justice to Una victims, immediately arrest rest accused”. (Photo: AP)

A Dalit youth, who had attempted to commit suicide to protest against beating of four from the community for skinning of carcasses by cow vigilantes, died here on Sunday, officials said.

Yogesh Hirabhai Solanki, 25, from Parbadi village of Rajkot in Saurashtra, had consumed acid on July 21 over the incident. He was first taken to Rajkot and then Junagadh government hospitals, but when his health deteriorated, he was brought to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

Hospital officials however said the doctors could not save Yogesh.

Also read: Una Assault Lifts Lid on Atrocities Against Dalits in Gujarat

He was among two dozen Dalit youth who had tried to commit suicide ever since the July 11 incident of attack on the four tannery workers in Una.

The maximum persons to take the extreme step were from the Saurashtra region, where the Mota Samadhiya village of Una taluka is located.

Also Read: The Reality Behind Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Staged’ Visit to Rajkot and Una

Meanwhile, Dalit rights groups held a mass gathering in Sabarmati area today to register their protest over the Una incident, after the venue was changed by the organisers to which the police had given its nod.

A member of India’s low-caste Dalit community shouts slogans at a rally to protest against the attack on their community members in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, July 31, 2016. (Photo: AP)

Hundreds of members of India’s low-caste Dalit community shout slogans at a rally to protest against the attack on their community members in Ahmadabad, India, Sunday, July 31, 2016 (Photo: AP)