Bhopal/Guna: The political slugfest over the beating up of a Dalit peasant family by the police during their eviction from government land in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh has intensified.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised questions over the illegal occupation of the land by a person, Gabbu Pardi and his alleged links with senior Congress leader and former chief minister Digvijaya Singh.
In Kent area of Guna, government land was reportedly encroached upon by Gabbu Pardi and given on lease for farming to the Dalit family. The police cleared the encroachment, resorting to physical action against the Dalit family. Six policemen have been suspended and Gwalior’s Additional Director General of Police, Collector and Superintendent of Police transferred.
President of the BJP’s Madhya Pradesh unit Vishnu Datt Sharma has condemned the incident saying an investigation into the case has been initiated. Digvijaya Singh’s role in the case should also be investigated, he added, alleging that it was at his behest that Gabbu Pardi mustered the courage to occupy the land.
The eviction from the land meant for a college was started in November 2019, but due to political pressure by the then Kamal Nath government it was stalled.
Following the statement by Sharma, Digvijaya Singh said, “I welcome BJP leader Sharma’s statement that an inquiry be made into my relations with Gabbu Pardi and request Shivraj ji that the investigation be made by Mr Sharma. It may also be inquired into why no action for eviction was taken during the 15-year rule by the BJP.”
State Home minister Narottam Mishra has said that Digvijaya Singh should answer the questions raised by the BJP state president. Digvijaya must disclose his relations with Gabbu Pardi, he added.
–IANS
