New Delhi: Congress MLA and tribal leader Anant Patel was allegedly thrashed by goons in Gujarat’s Navsari district On Saturday. Patel reacted to the incident by saying that anyone who raised their voice under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is beaten up and sent to jail, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Patel also alleged that the chief of Zila Panchayat and his goons vandalized his car and beat him up when he was reaching Khergam, Navsari for a meeting. He further alleged that the Zila Panchayat chief and goons made casteist slurs at him and said, "you are becoming a leader being an Adivasi. Won't let an Adivasi walk here."
After the tribal leader was thrashed, a huge crowd of protesters gathered on Saturday night in support of the Congress MLA. The protestors have vowed to block the 14 districts until the Zila Panchayat chief and his goons are caught. "The chief of Zila Panchayat and his goons vandalized my car and beat me up when I was reaching Khergam, Navsari for a meeting. They said, you are becoming a leader being an Adivasi, we won't spare you; won't let an Adivasi walk here," Patel told ANI.
“We will protest here until the Zila Panchayat chief and his goons are caught. Adivasis will block the highways of 14 districts till then. Anyone who raises their voice under the rule of the BJP government is beaten up and sent to jail," he added.
"Four-five people attacked Anant Patel yesterday, after which he sat in protest with his Adivasi supporters. He's been assured that within three days, the guilty will be caught and proper action will be taken. Police deployed but no untoward incident occurred. Complaint filed as per rules," ANI quoted Navsari Deputy Superintendent of Police as saying.
The protestors set ablaze a shop and vandalized the fire tender which reached the spot on Saturday.
(With Inputs from ANI)