Oppressive atmosphere in Gujarat, people need to unite: Kejriwal

New Delhi, July 21: A day before his scheduled visit to Gujarat, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said an atmosphere of "oppression" prevailed across the western state and that people of all communities were threatened.

In a video message released here, Kejriwal asked the people to "unite" and raise their voice against what he called the oppression of the state.

"There is an atmosphere of oppression across the state. People of all communities are threatened. People in Gujarat need to unite, be it the Dalits, Patidars or businessmen, and raise their voice against the oppression of the state," the Aam Aadmi Party national convener said.

Kejriwal added: "It's not just the Dalits but people of all communities are oppressed. Last year, during a peaceful Patidar agitation, police raided the homes of the Patidars and beat up their women and kids. Around 2,000 persons from the Patidar community were framed in false cases, including sedition."

The Delhi Chief Minister appealed to the Gujarat people to not resort to violence in their fight against the oppression.

"The entire country is with you. My only request (to you) is not to resort to violence in our fight because the state is more powerful and they will crush us," the AAP leader said in the message.

"I also appeal to people from the Dalit communities to not indulge in suicide bids. We will unite and fight as (Dalit icon) Babasaheb Ambedkar did and win against this oppression," he added.

On July 11, four Dalit youth were severely beaten up in Una town in Saurashtra region of Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, which has created a political storm in the state.

As many as 17 Dalits across the state attempted suicide to protest against the incident, of whom, one has died.

--IANS

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