#Chalo Una: See the protest that Big Media ignored
The Dalit Asmita Yatra culminated in a spectacular gathering. Revisit it in this photo essay
- Jignesh Mevani, a 35 year old lawyer and activist and the leader and face of the Gujarat Dalit agitation, contemplative before the march from a hamlet in Gujarat called Rajula to their final stopover at Una, Gujarat where the rally concludes. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Failed attempt by platoons of armed police force which were deployed by the government of Gujarat to ensure law and order in Una in anticipation of a backlash by Gau rakshaks and other local communities. Approximately 21 people including dalits, muslims, police personnel and perpetrators from the Darbar community were injured. Police complicity in the incidents seems evident. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Children from Hemal village are geared up to participate in the #chalouna rally. “Gaai nu puchdu tamey rakho, amne amaari jameen aapo” (Keep the cow’s tail with yourself and give us our land back) was a favourite slogan at the rally. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Bystanders in Una watch the rally with confusion and wonder. Nearly 10,000 people participated with great aplomb and took over Una on Independence Day. © Shuchi Kapoor
- The Dalit Asmita Yatra (Dalit Self-respect Rally) saw some hard-hitting slogans as part of its campaign. This protest started after the public flogging of 4 Dalit youths by vigilantes for skinning a dead cow in Una on July 11. © Shuchi Kapoor
- People from all across Gujarat and students from educational institutions like JNU and TISS actively participated in the rally, standing in solidarity with the Dalit Asmita Yatra to protest against atrocities on Dalits. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Republican Pathers, an activist group working towards the upliftment of the downtrodden, especially the Dalits through cultural initiatives motivating the crowd through their satirical songs at the Dalit Asmita Yatra. © Shuchi Kapoor
- The Dalit Asmita Yatra aims to unite oppressed minorities in India such as Dalits and Muslims and saw a large participation of Muslims at the rally. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Radhika Vemula, mother of late Rohit Vemula unfurled the national flag on the rally on Independence Day at Una. The crowds were eagerly taking selfies with her. She asked people to continue this fight against oppression. © Shuchi Kapoor
- Crowds at Una had their hands raised cheering their leaders and taking videos and pictures, including selfies to show their participation at the Una rally. © Shuchi Kapoor