Pavan Dahat Demonstrators release black balloons to protest inauguration of Sardar Patel Unity Statue in Gujarat.

NAGPUR, Maharashtra — Residents in 72 tribal villages in Gujarat observed a 'chulha bandh' (kitchen closed) to protest the inauguration of Sardar Patel's Statue of Unity by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, anti-displacement activists said. Many of those protesting have lost lands and fields to the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party's vanity project that has cost billions of rupees, activists said, adding that 90 protestors have been arrested so far. Gujarat Dalit Sanghatan president Jentibhai Mekadia, who is coordinating the protest along with several tribal groups, said protests were underway in 40 tribals blocks in 19 tribals districts of Gujarat. Anti-displacement activist Sulbha Raghunath wrote on her Facebook wall that women activists were threatened and were told that they will be killed and no one would know about it.

Pavan Dahat Demonstrators wrote "Narendra Modi Go Back" in blood to protest the loss of their lands to the Sardar Patel Unity Statue

"First resolve the issues of tribals then you construct a White House and we won't be bothered," Mekadia told HuffPost India."They (government) acquired land of 17 villages in this area for this statue. Initially, they promised that the local tribals will be given employment in whatever investment that will be made at this place. But every single contract was given to outsiders and not a single tribal has got employment." "The tribals have no other way of income apart from the land," Mekadia added. "When you take their land, you should provide them with something in return. All their demands have been long pending. The government is yet to resolve rehabilitation issues of Sardar Sarovar dam."

Pavan Dahat Demonstrators Protest the Unveiling Of the Sadar Patel Statue in Gujarat