Rahul Gandhi to accept Dalits' "largest" national flag, "refused" by Gujarat chief minister as he didn't have space

The national flag spread in DSK premises

By A Representative
In a major embarrassment to the BJP, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be “accepting” one of the largest national flags of India, prepared by Dalits at a technical institute off Sanand, Gujarat’s new industrial hub, which houses some of the most “prestigious” industrial units, including Tata Nano and Ford.
Taken by Dalits in a rally from to village Nani Devti, where the technical institute, Dalit Shakti Kendra (DSK), is situated, to Gandhinagar about four months back in a 50-km vehicles rally, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani’s emissary refused to accept the flag saying the state government did not have “adequate space to keep it safe”.
On insistence, Rupani’s emissary gave it in writing that once facility for preserving the large sized national is created, “we would approach you and take the national flag”. Rupani personally “did not have the time” to receive the national flag, hence he directed the district collector, Gandhinagar, to meet Dalit activists. The National Flag was brought in a tractor.
The rally was organized as part of the Abhadchhed Mukt Bharat Andolan (Untouchability Free India Movement): Mission 2047, launched by Gujarat’s well-known Dalit rights leader Martin Macwan. Macwan also heads DSK, where mainly Dalit girls and boys are trained into different types of technical skills that would enable them to get a respectable job, even as empowering them to fight discrimination.

The national flag in Gandhinagar

A communique issued by Mission 2017 has called upon Dalits to reach DSK, situated on the Sanand-Bavla road, in large numbers on November 24. Gandhi, said the communique, would arrive at DSK at 12 noon. Earlier, the Congress leadership had offered Mission 2047 activists to hand over the flag at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Gujarat’s Congress office in Ahmedabad.
Refusing to accept the “offer”, Macwan told the Congress leaders that the national flag, which a symbol of Dalits’ national mission to fight untouchability, would be handed over to Gandhi “provided he reached out to us”.
The communique said, by refusing to accept the national flag, the Gujarat government has “insulted the national flag”, adding, “On August 11, we took the national flag, which we prepared, to highlight our mission. Hundreds of Dalits, who were part of the 50-km long national flag rally, were visibly angry after they received the message that the Gujarat chief minister wouldn’t meet them.”
A 125 x 83.3 feet national flag, the communique said, would finally be accepted by Gandhi with “due respect” on November 24. The length of the national flag represents the 125th anniversary of top Dalit icon and father of the country’s constitution, Dr BR Ambedkar.

Gujarat CM emissary scribbled:"We
don't have space for national flag"

The National Flag, which was brought back to DSK, was prepared by Dalit students and teachers after spending 25 days. It is made of khadi, which is generally woven by the Vankar sub-caste of Dalits. Its designing, colouring and sewing was done by DsK students, mainly girls, with the help of teachers.
Interpreting the national flag, Macwan said, the Ashok Chakra symbolizes social equality, which is “one of the 12 basic principles of Lord Buddha, and the spokes in the Ashok Chakra represent exactly that.” By offering the National Flag to the chief minister, we wanted to remind him about his constitutional duty to annihilate caste.”
Along with the national flag, the Gujarat chief minister was asked to accept a large-sized supda (winnowing basket), which carried a one-line memorandum, asking him to name one Gujarat village untouchability free on the Independence day, August 15. While the supda and the memorandum was accepted, the chief minister hasn’t yet named a village untouchability free.

Comments

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

Workers' groups condemn Gujarat Ordinance increasing working hours, warn of statewide agitation

By A Representative At a consultation organised today by the Asangathit Shramik Hit Rakshak Manch at Circuit House in Ahmedabad, leaders of major trade unions and labour rights organisations strongly opposed the Gujarat government’s recent ordinance amending the Factories Act and the draft rules notified under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code, 2020. Around 50 representatives from central trade unions, independent unions, and labour welfare organisations participated in the meeting.

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Deaths in Chhattisgarh are not just numbers – they mark a deeper democratic crisis

By Sunil Kumar For a while, I had withdrawn into a quieter life, seeking solace in nature. But the rising tide of state-sponsored violence and recurring conflict across India has compelled deeper reflection. The recent incidents of killings in central India—particularly in Chhattisgarh—are not isolated acts. They point to a larger and ongoing crisis that concerns the health of democracy and the treatment of marginalised communities.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

'Bengali Muslim migrant workers face crackdown in Gurgaon': Academic raises alarm

By A Representative Political analyst and retired Delhi University professor Shamsul Islam has raised serious concerns over the ongoing targeting and detention of Muslim migrant workers from West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana. In a public statement, Islam described the situation as "brutal repression" and accused law enforcement agencies of detaining migrants arbitrarily under the pretext of verifying their citizenship.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

A matter of deep concern: The silent struggles of India's visually impaired women

By N.S. Venkataraman Visual impairment is one of the most severe forms of physical disability that afflicts humanity, and its impact is even more acute when it affects women. The burden becomes overwhelming when visually impaired women also belong to economically weaker sections of society, with little or no financial or institutional support. Their struggle for dignity, survival, and identity is often invisible—hidden in plain sight across cities and rural corners alike. And yet, these women form a large, neglected segment of society not just in India, but around the world. In India, governmental assistance to visually impaired persons exists but remains minimal. While policies are framed with good intent, they often fall short in implementation. More importantly, no real distinction is made between the unique challenges faced by visually impaired men and women. This gender-blind approach to disability support overlooks the compounded social vulnerabilities that women face due to...

Search This Blog