For Dalit rights, an activist set himself on fire inside the compound of Patan Collector's offi

ANI
Feb 18, 2018
2 min read

Bhanubhai Vankar, 60-year-old Dalit activist, set himself on fire in Gujarat inside the compound of Patan Collector's office, over government's delay in the implementation of regularisation of land tilled by a landless labourer.

Vankar reached the collector's office along with the Dalit families of Hemaben and Ramabhai on Thursday, drenched himself in kerosene and set himself on fire.

Later, the burned activist was rushed to a local hospital before being moved to the Apollo Hospital in Ahmedabad, but was declared dead on Friday, scumming to his injuries.

Prior to the declaration of death, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani assured that the state government was taking full care of Vankar. He said the government would bear all the expenses the Dalit activist's treatment.

He had written a letter to the chief minister last month, warning him of taking the step of self-immolation if the families were not allotted the land.

Though the chief minister's office had sent in an advisory to the collectorate, the officials there allegedly took the matter casually.

Vankar was seeking physical possession of land that was allotted to Dalit families by the state government.

"We are receiving messages from many supporters across the state that they are frustrated and would resort to suicide. I request all of them not to take any such steps and instead go on an indefinite dharna (protest).

"I would request them to approach me and we will carry forward the fight," Jignesh Mevani, MLA from Vadgam constituency and a Dalit youth leader told reporters on reaching the Apollo hospital where Vankar died.