NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the headlines the other day for asking those that attack Dalits to target him instead, but reports on Tuesday said several Dalit protesters were nevertheless beaten up in his homes state of Gujarat on Monday.

The attacks may show a split within the rightwing Hindutva groups, some of whom described Mr Modi earlier as a betrayer of Hindu rights.

The Dalits were returning from “Dalit pride march” in Una when they were assaulted in the night “by people of other communities” in two villages near the city in Gir Somnath district of Saurashtra region in Gujarat.

Four policemen also received injuries in the clashes and they were hospitalised.

Police had to open fire in the air and burst tear gas shells to disperse the mobs.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2016