New Delhi, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankar Singh Vaghela has sparked political controversy with his recent remarks about manual scavenging. Speaking ahead of his anticipated joining of the Congress party, Vaghela suggested that those opposing reservations should perform manual scavenging for a salary of ₹50,000 per month. This statement has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters.
Dr. Yajnesh Dave, a leader of the Gujarat Brahma Samaj, responded vehemently. He challenged Vaghela to set an example by starting this practice himself, even offering to pay him ₹5 lakh per month to clean his own home. Dr. Dave emphasized that such outdated practices should not be revived, as the government has worked to abolish them.
Vaghela’s comments were made during a conference in Sagwara, Narmada district, which was attended by several tribal and Dalit leaders, including Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda and Executive President Jignesh Mevani. He targeted upper-caste communities, suggesting they should engage in manual scavenging if they oppose affirmative action policies.
Dr. Dave highlighted that these remarks undermine the dignity of marginalized communities. He reiterated that the social fabric of Gujarat has evolved, and such statements are not reflective of contemporary values. The backlash underscores the sensitivity surrounding caste issues in India, especially as Vaghela prepares to re-enter the political arena with Congress.
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