Townhall Times In the country, cases of casteism and communal attacks are continuously increasing, and these incidents are not mere coincidences but are happening under a well-thought-out strategy. While efforts are being made to corner Muslims across the country, Dalit and Adivasi communities are being subjected to the terror of casteism. The incidents of attacks on Dalits in Uttar Pradesh over the past month are so horrifying that it would make any person’s heart tremble. It is deeply concerning that the government appears ineffective and indifferent in taking strong action against such attackers, and as a result, the attacks show no sign of stopping. Adv. Harsh Gautam from New Democratic party of India said
Recently, on March 6, in the village of Dhanouli Saty Nagar, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, Mukesh’s son’s wedding procession was on its way to Azizpur in Dhanouli, when extremists created havoc in the Dalit wedding procession. They threatened to kill the groom with licensed weapons and aimed guns at him. When the groom’s grandfather tried to intervene, his head was smashed. This incident scared the women in the procession, and the police were informed. The police arrived and managed to escort the procession to the marriage home, but it is alleged that the groom’s procession was taken out without any band playing, and the people attending the wedding were so frightened that no rituals could be completed. The victim’s family has filed a complaint, and ACP Saiya Devesh Singh is investigating the matter.
Another incident this month occurred in the village of Dharmavali in the Kotwali area of Bulandshahr, where members of the Thakur community opposed playing DJ music at a Dalit wedding procession and attacked the Dalit wedding party. In this attack, more than a dozen people were injured. The police have filed an FIR against 29 named individuals and 50 unknown persons, and six accused have been arrested.
Earlier this month, in Meerut, goons attacked a Dalit wedding procession, severely beating the groom and other wedding attendees. Additionally, loot was also carried out. The attackers stated that the right to play DJ music should not belong to Dalits. However, no strong action has been taken by the police against the goons who are protected by the ruling powers. Under the Yogi government, the situation of Dalits is worsening day by day. The goons protected by those in power continue to treat Dalits inhumanely, but those in power remain blind to the issue. We are struggling against this issue so that Dalits can receive their rights, and these goons can be taught a tough lesson.
In another incident, in the Karanwal village of the Refinery Police Station area in Mathura, a case has emerged where the marriage of two Dalit sisters was called off. This incident occurred when the two sisters were returning from the salon after preparing for their wedding and their car collided with a motorcycle, which belonged to one of the accused. Subsequently, the angry accused attacked the sisters and their family. Rani reported that the accused abused them, their aunt, and uncle with casteist slurs and even took their wedding rings. This incident sparked a political uproar in the village. Following this, the two grooms, who had come from Rajasthan, refused to marry, citing security threats, and returned.
Uttar Pradesh Leading in Cases of Atrocities Against Dalits, Madhya Pradesh Leading in Crimes Against Scheduled Tribes
In 2018, 42,793 cases were registered, and in 2019, 45,935 cases were reported.
These included 13,273 cases of simple assaults, 4,129 cases under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and 3,486 rape cases.
A report by the Ministry of Social Justice reveals that in 2022, Uttar Pradesh recorded 12,287 cases of Dalit oppression, Rajasthan had 8,651, and Madhya Pradesh had 7,732.
The states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) top the list of cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 (POA Act). A report published by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, indicates that Uttar Pradesh registered a total of 51,656 cases under the POA Act (97.7% of Dalit oppression cases), with 12,287 cases accounting for 23.78% of the total. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh follow in the registration of cases against atrocities on Dalits. The report’s findings serve as a serious reminder of India’s ongoing struggle with caste-based violence and discrimination against marginalized communities.
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