Gujarat Speaker suspends all Congress MLAs for protest over Una incident

Gujarat state Assembly Speaker Ramanlal Vora today suspended all Opposition Congress MLAs for a day from the Assembly after they refused to end their protest over cow vigilante group members publicly flogging Dalits in Una on 11 July, 2016.

Pandemonium reined in the state Assembly as Congress MLAs repeatedly trooped into the Well to demand an inquiry into the incident as also a commitment from the BJP-led state government to announce the steps they will take to assuage the hurt sentiments of the Dalit community.

Days after the 11 July thrashing, Dalits were again attacked in Samter village of Una Taluka in Gir Somnath district. The Dalits were returning after participating in Dalit Asmita Yatra in Una town. The mob threw stones on the police and Dalits, injuring many. The police had to resort to a baton charge to disperse the rioters and then lobbed teargas shells then.

Gujarat has been in the throes of several protests and pro-Dalit rallies since the attacks on the community last month.

-ANI