Bengaluru: Taking cue from Jignesh Mevani’s 10-day Dalit Asmita Yatra in Gujarat, which had mobilized the Dalit community in that state, Dalit activists of the state too have decided to launch a similar yatra in the state.
The main objective would be creating awareness among the Dalits against continuing their age-old professions like skinning dead cows and cleaning drains.
The decision to launch this drive was taken following the recent incidents of attack on Dalits in various parts of the state. A meeting of activists, which was held on Tuesday, chalked out the strategy of this awareness drive.
According to B.R. Bhaskar Prasad, an activist and writer, who had first proposed such a drive in the state, this awareness drive will be held in three phases. "In the first phase, we have decided to reach out the Dalits across the state and request them not to engage in the traditional works like burying the dead animals, skinning dead cows, engaging in the other menial jobs and pursue other professions. In the second phase we will hold a mammoth rally in one of the major cities. We have decided to invite Jignesh Mevani for this. In the third stage we will form taluk level committees to provide legal support to the victims of atrocities. These committees will have advocates as members. A central committee will guide these committees,” he said.
According to the activists, recent attack on Dalits in various parts of the state has forced them launch such an awareness drive. "We want our people to lead a dignified life. We will not tolerate any kind of attacks in the name of cow protection or vigilance,” he said.
