Jignesh Mevani, MLA, Vadgam, Gujarat
Jignesh Mevani is already being hailed as the next big dalit leader in the country. As MLA, the articulate former journalist, activist and lawyer, aims to provide a voice to dalits. It remains to be seen what Mevani goes on to achieve. Will he be a flash in the pan or will he tap into dalit angst and change the status quo. Edited excerpts from an interview:
You have been booked for giving provocative speeches in Bhima Koregaon. How do you explain these charges?
I am a practising advocate and now, a lawmaker. So I am fully aware of the provisions of the law. Not a single statement or word from my speeches had an ingredient which could invite such a case. Show the full videos [of my speeches] to Constitution experts. None of them will find anything wrong.
Even Union minister Ramdas Athawale said my speech had nothing which could lead to violence. It is a conspiracy by the BJP government. They are doing it because they are afraid of me. My profile is increasing day by day. I am going all over the country. I can sense the anger of the people, dalits, the youth.
During the Gujarat elections, leaders from the opposition campaigned for you. What is your next move? Will you join any party, or start your own?
Right now, I am not thinking about it. My primary focus will be on the state. I want to give justice to my constituency, Vadgam. It will be Vadgam model of development against [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s model of development. [I want to] ensure that my organisation—Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch—expands.
Your activism and politics is centred around dalit rights. How do you view their condition in India at present?
この記事は THE WEEK の January 28, 2018 版に掲載されています。
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