Gujarat Congress student activists "part of" saffron attackers on Ahmedabad NGO in Xavier's College campus
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| Outside the NGO building following the attack |
Are Congress student cadres in Gujarat operating as “B” team of the Sangh Parivar? Amidst accusing fingers being leveled on saffron outfits “attached” with RSS for the recent attack on a well-known NGO, operating from the premises of the St Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, a senior Dalit rights leader has told Counterview that the leadership of the attack was “provided by an active member of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), student-wing of the Congress.”
A Congress spokesperson, while confirming that an NSUI cadre was part of the attack, in which several youths dashed into the NGO campus and broke window panes, damaging flower pots, said, “He is, however, not an NSUI leader. We have nothing to do with the attack.”
When asked whether the Congress would make a statement to condemning the attack, the spokesperson told Counterview, “Whatever has happened is unfortunate. But we do not want to get into it. We do not think a statement is desirable.”
The attack took place on Wednesday. The small group which dashed into the NGO campus of the Human Development Research Centre (HDRC), formerly Behavioral Science Centre, was protesting against an advertisement saying that non-reserved category individuals would be “preferred” for a sweeper’s post.
What incensed the attackers was the mention of castes and religions that would be “preferred” for appointment as sweeper – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Banias, Parsis, Muslims and Christians.
“The advertisement was put up on the notice board of the HDRC on April 6 this year. It is not known how it became so important. All kinds of elements are on the look out in the college in search creating mischief. Even plainclothes persons freely move around”, said an insider.
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| The controversial ad put on HDRC notice board |
The Dalit rights activist, who is not attached with any political party, said, “We have video footage of the persons who were involved in the attack. We want the cops to take action against them. It was not the intention of the HDRC to create caste tension through the advertisement.”
The activist added, “Had it been the intention of the HDRC to create caste tension, as claimed by the attackers, they would have publicized it. The very fact that it was put up on the notice board, which few would notice, suggests they did not have any such intention.”
The activist said, “The attackers came to the campus five times. It is because of the police’s presence that they were not able to physically harm the HDRC staff. However, it is regrettable that a police complaint has been filed against HDRC director Prasad Chacko for inciting caste and religious violence, while no action has been taken against the attackers.”
The Dalit activist said, “If at all, it is the attackers who are responsible for inciting caste discord. One of them, for instance, was openly proclaiming that it is not the job of the upper castes to do the sweeping job; their job is to fight for the nation on the borders. Another opined, Dalits have never fought for the country on the borders. Does it mean that only sweeping job is reserved for the Dalits?”
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