|
Sharp rise in atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 03 July 2006 |
|
Claiming that the Dalits were "eclipsed" under the present dispensation in Gujarat, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar on 3 July 2006 criticised the Narendra Modi-led Government for the "atrocities" meted out to Dalits and other backward sections of society. "The present government in Gujarat has a poor track record in tackling crimes against the backward sections of society," Kumar said addressing the day-long 'jan-mitra shibir' (conference of party workers) organised by the Scheduled Caste cell of Congress Party. She claimed that Dalits were "eclipsed" in Gujarat at present. "In 2005, there was a total of 967 cases of atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat where many were murdered, raped, burnt and seriously injured," Kumar said. "This year in just six months, there was a total of 412 cases of atrocities registered against backward classes, including Dalits. I have sourced the figures from the Social Justice department of Gujarat,” she added.
|
News