Gondal: Hundreds of people, mostly Dalits, protested in Gujarat’s Gondal, about 250 kilometers from Ahmedabad, against the alleged caste-based attack on Sanjay Solanki, a functionary of the Congress’s student wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Solanki claimed he was kidnapped and taken to a deserted farm in Gondal, where he was threatened with a firearm in the presence of Jyotiradityasinh Jadeja, the 25-year-old son of BJP lawmaker Geetaba Jadeja. Jyotiradityasinh, who had previously had an altercation with Solanki on May 30 over reckless driving, was arrested on June 6.
According to the First Information Report, Solanki stated that he was forced to strip while others recorded videos of the assault.
Yuva Bhim Sena Gujarat founder DD Solanki, who joined the protest on Wednesday, said the rally aimed to oppose attempts by Jyotiradityasinh’s father, Jayrajsinh Jadeja, and his associates to intimidate the people of Gondal. “We will not be intimidated. For the first time, the Jadeja family has faced such a public protest.”
The protesters demanded action against Solanki’s attackers, the establishment of a fast-track court for speedy case resolution, and an end to lawlessness in Gondal. Approximately 10,000 people from around 200 villages participated in the protest. In response, Jayrajsinh Jadeja’s supporters called for a bandh in Gondal, leading to the local market’s closure for the day.
Jayrajsinh Jadeja stated they had not called for a bandh but appreciated the voluntary support from the community. “The bandh was peaceful. I am thankful to all communities, including the Dalits, who have supported the bandh call, and their leaders did not join the rally… the people of Gondal will answer.”
He declined to comment on the allegations against his son. “Some of the people in the rally made some allegations, but I would not like to comment on such people, and there is a difference between them and me. I have full faith in the law, and justice will be delivered.”
Jayrajsinh Jadeja, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017 for the 2004 murder of a real estate agent and is out on conditional bail, has dominated Gondal politics since 1998. He was elected to the Gujarat assembly from Gondal in 1998, 2002, and 2012, losing in 2007. His wife, Geetaba Jadeja, won the assembly seat in 2017 and 2022.