Una Flogging: Dalit Victim Writes to President Seeking Mercy Plea

Vashram Sarvaiya expressed anguish against the Gujarat government for not fulfilling their promises.

After the Una flogging incident, many Dalits had taken a pledge to no longer dispose of dead cattle. Image used for representation. 

(Photo: Reuters)

Vashram Sarvaiya, one of the four people who were flogged in Una in 2016, has written to President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking permission for mercy killing. Sarvaiya also stated that one of them will start fast-unto-death on 7 December in Delhi, reported The Indian Express.

In a letter written on behalf of his family, Sarvaiya expressed anguish against the Gujarat government for not fulfilling their promises pertaining to land allocation, government jobs and development of their village.

Sarvaiya has claimed that the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, had made these promises, which the BJP government has not even attempted to fulfil.

“She had assured us that the state government will allot five acres land to each of the victims, that the victims will be given government jobs as per their qualification, and Mota Samadhiyala will be transformed into a developed village. Two years and four months have passed since the incident and the government has fulfilled none of its promises nor has it made any attempt to fulfil them.”

Vashram Sarvaiya in a letter to President

Vashram Sarvaiya has further said that the incident forced them out of their traditional job of skinning carcasses and they might die of hunger. He has further said that the Gujarat government had paid no heed to their problems.

He has also mentioned that the government is not withdrawing the cases that were filed against Dalits in connection with the violence that broke out after the incident.

“Police had filed totally false cases against Dalits during the agitation. Whenever we go out to attend some social event of our community, we feel pain and distress to note that cases filed against members of our community have not been withdrawn.”

Vashram Sarvaiya in a letter to President

He has also said that the government has failed to provide them security.

What Happened on 11 July 2016?

On 11 July 2016, Vashram’s brother Ramesh, father Balu and mother Kunvar were allegedly assaulted by cow vigilantes in Mota Samadhiyala village of Una. They were among the eight Dalits who were accused of slaughtering a cow.

However, the police investigation had later found that they were skinning a cow carcass.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)