Ruckus in Parliament over attack on Dalit youth in Gujarat. Rajnath Singh calls for action

On the third day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, opposition leaders brought up the protests by Dalit groups against four Dalit youths being thrashed by cow vigilantes in Una town of Gujarat's Gir Somnath district last week.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh strongly condemned the atrocities on the Dalit men in Una and said that a permanent solution was the need of the hour.

He also asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken cognisance of the issue and was extremely upset over the attacks on Dalits.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed concern about the crime against Dalits and urged the central government to treat them with care and provide full protection.

Meanwhile, protests intensified in Gujarat on 20 July after Dalit rights organisation called for a state-wide bandh to protest the Una incident. According to media reports, schools and colleges in the state remained closed. Additionally, State transport bus services were also suspended.

Parts of Gujarat have been tense after seven members of a Dalit family were allegedly beaten up for skinning a dead cow in Mota Samadhiyala village of Una taluka in Gir Somnath district on 11 July.