Beating of Dalits over cow killing burns Gujarat

The brutal thrashing in full public view of four young Dalit men in broad daylight has triggered widespread protests in Gujarat. The victims were accused of killing a cow by a cow protection committee at Una on 11 July.

The noise of turmoil in the western state reached the Lok Sabha where the Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge tried to raise the issue. With Speaker Sumitra Mahajan telling him to take up the matter in the question hour, Opposition leaders rushed to the well of the house.

Making a statement during zero hour, Home Minister Rajnath Singh called the attack as “unfortunate.” The Gujarat Police has been fast in action, he said, adding that nine people have been already been held.

He praised the role of the BJP government in the state. It is trying to constitute a special court for quick trial of the case. “But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection.”

Similar scenes were seen in the Rajya Sabha. Social Justice & Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot came up with clarifications, while Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi was busy calming the tempers of Opposition leaders.