GANDHINAGAR, FEB 8
If you want the BJP government to accept your demands, pick up a traditional weapon of bow and arrows. So said Congress MLA Mangal Gavit on Friday in Gandhinagar. Gavit, a tribal leader, and MLA from Dang district, is heard telling protesters that the government will not heed mere agitations which went viral on social media on Friday.
“This government will not accept our demands due to satyagraha and agitations. If the need arises, we should pick up bow and arrows, which is our symbol, and fight against the government until the government accepts our demands,” he said.
He was addressing the agitators in ‘Satyagraha Chhavni’ area of Gandhinagar.
After the video went viral, Gavit said he had made the statement on February 5. “These tribals want the government to cancel all the Scheduled Tribe (ST) caste certificate issued to non-tribal communities such as Rabari and Bharwad. We also want the government to fill up government vacancies as per the quota allotted to STs,” Gavit said.
On Thursday, tribal development minister Ganpat Vasava had assured the agitators that the government will not accept caste certificates of ‘fake tribals’ in the recruitment process.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani lashed out at Congress, accusing them of resorting to politics over the issue. Reacting to the matter of filling up of vacancies and the agitation at Satyagraha Chhavni, Rupani said, “Gujarat government is determined to solve this issue legally so that justice is delivered to the girls. Congress should not resort to leverage this issue for its political benefit as people of Gujarat will not allow them to do so.” He further said, “The government will also study Gujarat High Court rulings in the matter and ensure a decision is taken. The government has been discussing the issue for the past five days to arrive at a solution.”
