The senior minister in Gujarat government Saurabh Patel on Wednesday stated in Gujarat assembly that his government would be ready to hold a debate over the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir through a special session. He was giving his speech in the house over governor's address. The Congress MLAs, during debate on governor's address in assembly, criticised Narendra Modi led central government over the issue of Pulwama attack. Some of the MLAs also made comments that the central government could not handle the Kashmir issue properly. Countering the opposition, Patel said, "BJP government in Center has taken firm actions to curb terrorism. The government also moved very meticulously in Kashmir issue. If you (opposition members) all are ready, we would summon a four days long special session to discuss the issue on the removal of Article 370 from Kashmir and actions taken by all the governments in Center so far." During the debate on governor's speech, the atmosphere in the house became tensed when independent MLA from Vadgam and Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani raised an issue of untouchability in state and Dalit atrocity cases. He said that how could Gujarat government boast to be a developed state when Dalits in over 1,300 villages of the state face untouchability from upper castes. Speaking on the subject, he said, "The technology to explore water on Mars is invented but it is shameful that government of such acclaimed state Gujarat could not bring in technology so that the sanitation workers are not forced to climb down manholes." He also attacked the government over the issue of Thangadh firing on Dalit in which government did not table the probe report by the commission in assembly. He alleged that the government did not give compensation to Dalit families victimised in atrocities, including victims of Una Dalit youth flogging case and one Bhanubhai Vankar who lost his life by self-immolation outside Patan collector's office. Countering Mevani's statement, minister for social justice and empowerment, Ishwar Parmar said, "The issues raised by the member are not coinciding with the facts. The government has given all compensation promised to Una case victims family. Only the issue related to land has been pending because victims were not ready to accept the land allotted to them."

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