A 70-year-old Dalit man, Harji Bhai Deva Bhai Solanki, was allegedly burned alive in Jakhota village near Pipala village in Santalpur taluka, Patan district. The victim’s body was found wearing women’s clothes and anklets.
Dalit leader and Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani confirmed the incident after speaking with the Patan District Superintendent of Police. However, the police have not revealed the motive yet and are conducting an investigation.
MLA Mevani expressed deep sorrow over the incident and tweeted, “Despite all its claims of development, Gujarat is becoming a hell for Dalits.”
He appealed to activists and citizens to gather at the Civil Hospital in Dharpur, Patan, to demand justice for the victim’s family.
Mevani also demanded, “The government must provide adequate compensation to the victim’s family and allot 2 acres of agricultural land.”
The Patan police said the murder took place in Jakhota village, and the body was sent for postmortem at the Civil Hospital in Dharpur. They have started questioning locals and increased security in the area due to rising tension.
The local Dalit community and social organizations have condemned the incident and are calling for strict action against those responsible. Tension remains high in the villages of Jakhota and Pipala.
Mevani urged the Dalit community to protest against ongoing atrocities, saying, “We must strongly oppose assaults, murders, and horrific incidents like this, which are happening under the BJP government.”
This story was originally published in theobserverpost.com.