Gujarat Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani has called for a ‘bike rally’ on December 28, demanding an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks on Dr B R Ambedkar in Parliament and the resignation of Mahisagar District Collector Neha Kumari over alleged anti-Dalit comments.
As part of a national protest, Mevani said the Gujarat rally aims to uphold the dignity of Ambedkar, the Constitution, and the rights of marginalised communities. The rally will commence at 10 am from the Khokhra and conclude at the Ambedkar statue in the Sarangpur area of Ahmedabad.
“The demands for Shah’s apology and Kumari’s resignation represent the collective anger of Dalits, Adivasis, and OBC communities,” he said.
Recently, Shah claimed it had become a “fashion” to repeatedly invoke Ambedkar’s name.
Responding, Mevani said, “Ambedkar is not fashion for us but a passion. Dalits, tribals, and backward communities honour Ambedkar for his fight for social justice. Unlike the RSS and BJP, who believe in Manusmriti and Nathuram Godse, we believe in the Constitution.”
Mevani and Kumari Tussle
The protest also addresses allegations against Neha Kumari, who is accused of making derogatory comments about Dalits.
In a purported video, Kumari allegedly claimed that “90 per cent of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act are used for blackmailing.”
While Kumari denied the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, Mevani demanded her suspension and the filing of an FIR under the Atrocities Act, calling her remarks “insensitive” and “unparliamentary.”
A Dalit man has also filed a complaint against Kumari for allegedly using a slur, with his phone sent for forensic analysis.
Mevani accused the state government of protecting her and failing to uphold respect for Dalit communities and Ambedkar’s values.
“This protest is for the Bahujan, OBC, and Adivasi communities, who are outraged by the continued disrespect towards Ambedkar and the Constitution,” Mevani said. “Ambedkar ensured dignity and justice for all communities. We will not stop until our demands are met.”
Also Read: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Marks ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ at Ahmedabad Gurudwara
