The incessant objection against the Dafer...

Mittal Patel with the Dafer Women

‘Agitating the Gandhian way,’ when such a statement is heard the first thought that comes across would be people agitating against injustice, raising their voice against indiscrimination.  

 Recently, we got to hear these words in the region we work. Naturally, we got concerned and curious. However, when we dug deeper into the matter the opposite came to light  on this Gandhian way of objecting!! The agitators were opposing the authority’s  decision to grant permanent residency to few Dafer families in their village. 

Collector Shri K Rajesh handing over the official documents
to  the dafer families

Gandhiji never discriminated based on caste, class or religion, he embraced all and preached the same. Sadly, in this case Gandhiji's name was used not to embrace the needy but to reject, to exclude.  

The current living condition of Dafer families

Surendranagar District Collector Shri K Rajesh has taken upon himself to ensure that the Dafer families of Surendranagar are allotted plots under the government’s pledge of housing for all. Shri Rajesh has received immense support from respected Chief Minister Shri Vijaybhai Rupani. It was our discussion with Shri Vijaybhai on the prevailing issues of nomadic communities that prompted his pledge to accelerate the process of providing houses to nomads. Shri K Rajesh is doing his best as district collector to uphold this pledge and his individual  commitment to the poor. As a result, he allotted plots to Dafer and other communities. 

The current living condition of Dafer families

 However, as soon as the news of allotment of plots to Dafer families in their village reached the villagers they expressed their resistance, “The Dafer will rob us, harass the farmers, steal our cattle, eat non-vegetarian foods. They are an ill-tempered and frenetic community with an unlawful past!” All this and much more was narrated in a written complaint issued against the government’s decision to allot plots to the Dafer. Their  demand was to revoke the decision.  

The population of Dafer is very negligent in Surendranagar district.  Dafer are a hardworking community. None of them is dreadful. They are God-fearing and hard-working families. 

The current living condition of Dafer families

I believe it is inappropriate to judge anyone based on her/his past. Valiyo dacoit could turn into Rishi Valmiki because people trusted and embraced him. These families are like us, they are our own. It is time we put the phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam/The world is one family” into practice. 

 I have refrained from mentioning the names of the agitating villagers. However, based on my experience I would like to convey to all those who are opposing that these are humble humans. Some might have faulted in the past but that was to feed their hungry bellies. No one has made fortune or built mansions from supposed loots their earlier generations might have conducted. Well, had they made mansions no one would be opposing them today. The resistance has frightened them a lot. 

 Jyot se Jyot Jalate chalo prem ki ganga bahate chalo…

 Let us make this world a better and brighter place. Let us light hope for the deprived and marginalised fellow human beings. It is indeed saddening to witness such resistance. We wish for a day when the inequality  around vanishes and we learn to find happiness from making other’s happy. Hope the resisting villagers understand this, we will be initiating a dialogue with them soon. 

 Sharing the image of the Dafer families for you all to see their current place of living. These are the families who have been allotted plots. 

 How can we deny their right to a home?? How can we not be human? Hope society comprehends the fundamental need of these fellow humans.