From the archive record
As more than 10,000 Dalits gathered in here on Sunday in a show of strength to send out a message that the community will no longer accept any form of atrocity by upper castes, 23-year-old Yogesh Sarikhada, Dalit youth, who had consumed pesticide to protest the flogging of four Dalits youths by a cow vigilante group in Saurashtra, died in hospital. At the massive congregation, organised by the Dalit community and several Dalit groups and activists, community leaders slammed the State government and also Dalit political leaders from the BJP and Congress for failing to protect their rights. Other demands voiced by the Dalits and interestingly supported by the minority community, which also faces harassment from self styled cow vigilante groups include stringent action against those who have