Gujarat: “ADGP Pandian insulted the dignity and rights of 50 lakh Dalits in the state”

Jignesh Mevani, MLA from Vadgam, Gujarat, has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In this letter, he has demanded the immediate suspension of Gujarat ADGP (SC / ST) Rajkumar Pandian. Mevani has accused Pandian of inappropriate and indecent behavior during a recent meeting. It is known that this meeting was called to discuss the issue of illegal occupation of Dalit land in Kutch district of Gujarat.

According to The Mooknayak report, Mevani in his letter to Shah mentioned the events of October 15, 2024, when he and Hitendra Pitadia, president of the Scheduled Caste Cell of the Indian National Congress (INC), went to the office of ADGP Pandian in Ahmedabad. The meeting was organized to raise the issue of illegal occupation of the land of Dalit families who were allotted land in the 1980s, but they have not got the actual possession of the land till date.

Mevani wrote in the letter that the land dispute has been going on for decades. Though the land has been allotted on government papers, the Dalit families are yet to get control of the land. Last year, two Dalit men were killed in a similar incident when they tried to enter their land. On Independence Day this year, Mevani had publicly called upon the authorities to give Dalits possession of their land, following which the Revenue Department carried out a panchnama of illegal occupation.

However, despite confirmation of occupation, the local authorities have so far failed to take concrete action. Mevani said he had repeatedly requested the Kutch Superintendent of Police (SP) to take action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, but nothing was done. After receiving no response from the SP and Range IG Chirag Koradia, Mevani decided to meet ADGP Pandian.

Mevani said that during the meeting with Pandian, he and Pitadia were ordered to keep their mobile phones outside in a humiliating and strict manner. On this, Mevani told Pandian that being an elected representative, he should behave with courtesy and respect. Despite this, Pandian ended the meeting and refused to give any future appointment.

Mevani mentioned in the letter that “I will not meet you in future; you will not be allowed to enter my office.” After this, Pandian instructed his junior officers to forcefully remove Pitadiya from the office.

Mevani also alleged that Pandian also commented on his dress, in which he said that Mevani came to meet him wearing a T-shirt. Mevani says that this can be seen as a threat, which according to him, was completely inappropriate and unprofessional.

In his letter, MLA Mevani condemned Pandian’s behavior and said that it reflects the arrogance of an officer and indifference towards the issues of Dalits. Mevani further wrote, “Rajkumar Pandian has not only misbehaved with an elected representative but he has also insulted the dignity, rights and honor of 50 lakh Dalits of Gujarat.” He said that Pandian’s behaviour is a symbol of disregard for the land rights issues of Dalits.

According to the report, Mevani also mentioned Pandian’s past, which included serving a seven-year jail sentence in a fake encounter case. Mevani said that this history and Pandian’s current behaviour raises serious questions on his ability to continue in this position.

Jignesh Mevani sought Amit Shah’s intervention and insisted on Pandian’s suspension. He also demanded that Pandian should apologize unconditionally to the Dalit community of Gujarat. Mevani said that immediate action is required to maintain the credibility of the police department.

Courtesy : News Cubic Studio

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