Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met the kin of the Dalits thrashed in Una for skinning a dead cow. Rahul Gandhi had landed in Gujarat following an invitation from the state unit, after the incident assumed political colour and grabbed eyeballs across the country.  According to a kin of the victims, Gandhi, who spent around 40 minutes with the family members, said he is "ashamed" that such incidents are taking place in India. "We narrated to him (Rahul) what happened with my cousins and uncle. He listened to us patiently and assured us all help so that we can get justice," Jitu Sarvaiya, a cousin of the victims, told reporters after Gandhi left.

"Rahulji said he feels ashamed that such incidents are still taking place in the country and gave his personal number to us to contact in case of any emergency," he said. Earlier in the day, NCP heavyweight Praful Patel had also landed in Una to visit the victims. The issue has assumed significant political significance and parties across the spectrum are making a beeline to reap maximum dividend from the same. Aam Admi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal is also scheduled to visit Gujart on Friday. 

Also, in what could be major embarrassment to the party, Rahul was allegedly caught napping in Lok Sabha while the house was debating on violence against Dalits. Gandhi drew much flak from fellow parliamentarians on the issue, however, Congress's fire-fighting machinery was quick at his rescue. "When the Dalit issue was being discussed in house, Rahul Gandhi was sleeping. This shows how serious Congress is on the issue," Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said attacking Gandhi