Won’t join Congress, but can discuss Dalit issues with Rahul: Jignesh Mevani

AHMEDABAD: Jignesh Mevani, a Dalit leader of Gujarat, said on Thursday that he has no plans to join Congress, either now or in the future. After Alpesh Thakor joined Congress, many expected Mevani to follow suit as both Thakor and Mevani have been known to share platforms on many issues, and Mevani had been critical of BJP all along.
Mevani, however, has said he is ready to discuss the 17 demands of Dalits with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, to learn of Congress’s stand on these issues.
“I want to make it clear that neither have I joined Congress nor am I going to do so in future. Not just Congress, I have no plans of joining any party as of now,” the young Dalit leader told reporters here.
Mevani shot into limelight following the Una flogging of Dalits by so-called gau rakshaks last year.
Mevani’s 17 demands include allotment of five-acre plots of farming land to Dalits, alternative employment to those involved in skinning of cattle and manual scavenging, and the release of a probe report into the 2012 firing on community members at Thangadh in Surendranagar district.
Clarifying his anti-BJP stand, Mevani said, “The BJP government is not ready to hold talks with us over these demands, and it is clear they are anti-Dalit. That is why we are also anti-BJP.”
“But, that does not mean that we are joining another party,” said Mevani, adding, “I am ready to meet Rahul Gandhi to learn of his party’s stand on our demands. I want to know what they can do for our community if they gain power.”
With Gujarat assembly polls scheduled on December 9 and 14, both BJP and Congress are going all out to win new blocks of voters. On Thursday, Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki and Gujarat Congress in-charge Ashok Gehlot had a meeting in Surat with Pravin Ram, the president of Jan Adhikar Manch.
The ‘manch’ formed by Ram says it has been fighting for farmers, unemployed youth, contractual workers, anganwadi workers, fixed-pay employees and accredited social health activists (ASHA).
Ram said that if Congress assures them of fulfilling their demands, most of which pertain to higher wages, better minimum support prices and job opportunities, the Jan Adhikar Manch may support Congress.
“I have discussed issues concerning various sections of the society, such as unemployed youth, contractual workers and others,” Ram said, adding “Congress leaders have sought two days to give us their take on these demands. If the response is positive, we will definitely support Congress.”