Tribals plan protest during PM’s visit to Statue of Unity

Preparations are in full swing for the National Unity Day celebrations at the Statue of Unity (SOU) at Kevadia on 30-31 October. However, tribals from 14 villages around Kevadia have decided to remain home quarantined as part of a unique protest against the programme at SOU in which PM Narendra Modi will be present.

PM Modi is visiting Gujarat on 30th October after a period of 30 months. The tribal villagers are seeking justice alleging that they have been displaced to make way for tourist facilities around the SOU.

Kevadia Bachao Andolan Samiti has given a ‘Kevadia Bandh’ call for 30-31 October. In view of this, the police have decided to keep a close watch on the protesting tribals, their leaders and their committee. Police are keen to ensure that the bandh does not succeed.

Given the police’ strategy to foil the protest, the tribal leaders are trying to present their “Kevadia bandh” move as something necessitated by fear of coronavirus on the day of celebrations when there might be a crowd around.

As part of this move, the Kevadia Bachao Andolan Samiti submitted an application to the Narmada Collector, stating that when Unity Day is celebrated at the Statue of Unity, police personnel in large numbers will come from other states, and several policemen could be infected with coronavirus as well.

The troopers have been sent to village schools, which could lead to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the village. According to the application, in view of corona fear, people of villages around Kevadia like Kothi, Gabhana, Vagadia, Bhumlia, Navagam, Lemdi, Vasanpura, Indravana, Boria will remain home-quarantined on 30-31. This is how they will be protesting under the pretext of corona.

The sarpanches of 14 villages around Kevadia have decided that no outsider will be allowed in the village on 30-31 October, and no government employee will be allowed in the village. Village markets will be closed voluntarily.