Dalit Bahujan Adivasi
UP records two more hate crimes against Dalits
One incident is from Amethi and another from Badaun
Image: Newslaundry / Gobindh V B
A disturbing news has emerged from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh where three minor Dalit boys have been tied to an electric pole and thrashed for allegedly stealing scrap from a cement factory.
A video of the incident has also been circulating on Twitter and the account @HateDetectors has flagged it as a hate crime on May 29. In the video the face of the minor boys has been blurred and some men are surrounding them, nobody tries to help them out which indicates that the men were in on this alleged crime.
Minor #Dalit boys was tied to an electric pole and thrashed for allegedly stealing scrap from a Cement Factory in #Amethi, #UttarPradesh. pic.twitter.com/sXF19aWIWg
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) May 29, 2023
On May 31 The Telegraph reported that a policeman thrashed a Dalit man who had come to the police station to lodge a complaint as the man woke him from his sleep. The policeman, sub-inspector Sushil Kumar Bishnoi, was sleeping during his duty hours and was woken up by Pintu Jatav as he wanted to file a complaint against his brother. The incident took place in Bagrain outpost of Wazirganj police station, Badaun district.
Pintu, a resident of Sisaiya village of Bagrain police post area, had approached a sleeping Bishnoi to file a complaint, however, Bishnoi pulled out his belt and started beating Pintu.
The video was posted by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. The policeman wearing a vest and shorts can be seen beating Pintu and is abusing him as well. In protest Pintu takes off his pants and says, “Hit me. At the most you will kill me. What more can you do?”
उप्र पुलिस के कार्यवाहक डीजीपी के अकार्यवाहक दरोगा जी ने अपने आराम में ख़लल पड़ने पर फरियादी जनता पर ही अपनी बेल्ट से हिसंक प्रतिक्रिया दी।अच्छा हुआ दरोगा जी के पास बेल्ट है, थार या बुलडोज़र नहीं, नहीं तो…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 30, 2023
भाजपा सरकार
जनता पर वार! pic.twitter.com/3aH4igX59C
Meanwhile Badaun police has taken cognizance of the incident and has instituted departmental inquiry against Bishnoi and head constable Sanjeev Kumar, reported The Print. Kumar is believed to be the one shooting a video of the incident and then posting it on social media.
Related:
UP: Four rapes reported in four days
CPI-M team headed by Brinda Karat meets Dalit family: 16-year old daughter killed two days ago
UP: SHO suspended after delay in investigation of minor Dalit girl's rape
UP records two more hate crimes against Dalits
One incident is from Amethi and another from Badaun
Image: Newslaundry / Gobindh V B
A disturbing news has emerged from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh where three minor Dalit boys have been tied to an electric pole and thrashed for allegedly stealing scrap from a cement factory.
A video of the incident has also been circulating on Twitter and the account @HateDetectors has flagged it as a hate crime on May 29. In the video the face of the minor boys has been blurred and some men are surrounding them, nobody tries to help them out which indicates that the men were in on this alleged crime.
Minor #Dalit boys was tied to an electric pole and thrashed for allegedly stealing scrap from a Cement Factory in #Amethi, #UttarPradesh. pic.twitter.com/sXF19aWIWg
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) May 29, 2023
On May 31 The Telegraph reported that a policeman thrashed a Dalit man who had come to the police station to lodge a complaint as the man woke him from his sleep. The policeman, sub-inspector Sushil Kumar Bishnoi, was sleeping during his duty hours and was woken up by Pintu Jatav as he wanted to file a complaint against his brother. The incident took place in Bagrain outpost of Wazirganj police station, Badaun district.
Pintu, a resident of Sisaiya village of Bagrain police post area, had approached a sleeping Bishnoi to file a complaint, however, Bishnoi pulled out his belt and started beating Pintu.
The video was posted by Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav. The policeman wearing a vest and shorts can be seen beating Pintu and is abusing him as well. In protest Pintu takes off his pants and says, “Hit me. At the most you will kill me. What more can you do?”
उप्र पुलिस के कार्यवाहक डीजीपी के अकार्यवाहक दरोगा जी ने अपने आराम में ख़लल पड़ने पर फरियादी जनता पर ही अपनी बेल्ट से हिसंक प्रतिक्रिया दी।अच्छा हुआ दरोगा जी के पास बेल्ट है, थार या बुलडोज़र नहीं, नहीं तो…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 30, 2023
भाजपा सरकार
जनता पर वार! pic.twitter.com/3aH4igX59C
Meanwhile Badaun police has taken cognizance of the incident and has instituted departmental inquiry against Bishnoi and head constable Sanjeev Kumar, reported The Print. Kumar is believed to be the one shooting a video of the incident and then posting it on social media.
Related:
UP: Four rapes reported in four days
CPI-M team headed by Brinda Karat meets Dalit family: 16-year old daughter killed two days ago
UP: SHO suspended after delay in investigation of minor Dalit girl's rape
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CPI-M team headed by Brinda Karat meets Dalit family: 16-year old daughter killed two days ago
The brutal killing of the young teenager Dalit girl by Sahil Sarfaraz has set of another round of hate-letting
Delhi: The barbaric killing of a 16 year old girl by someone she supposedly knew, in full public view has shocked the country. Yesterday, Wednesday, May 30, a CPI(M) team with Polit Bureau Member Comrade Brinda Karat and Delhi State Secretary Comrade KM Tiwari met the working class Dalit family of the teenager to express their sorrow and solidarity. The father Janak Raj told the team that there was no communal angle or enmity between communities. “ We are all workers earning our living. We live together in peace.”
The father also stated he wanted the strictest punishment against the criminal. Delhi. Janwadi Mahila Sanghatan (JMS) State Secretary and party state secretariat member comrade Asha Sharma, Siddheshwar Shukla Party area secretary and state committee member and many other local comrades were part of the team.
Related:
Ghastly murder of a minor girl on street fuels communal fire: Delhi
CPI-M team headed by Brinda Karat meets Dalit family: 16-year old daughter killed two days ago
The brutal killing of the young teenager Dalit girl by Sahil Sarfaraz has set of another round of hate-letting
Delhi: The barbaric killing of a 16 year old girl by someone she supposedly knew, in full public view has shocked the country. Yesterday, Wednesday, May 30, a CPI(M) team with Polit Bureau Member Comrade Brinda Karat and Delhi State Secretary Comrade KM Tiwari met the working class Dalit family of the teenager to express their sorrow and solidarity. The father Janak Raj told the team that there was no communal angle or enmity between communities. “ We are all workers earning our living. We live together in peace.”
The father also stated he wanted the strictest punishment against the criminal. Delhi. Janwadi Mahila Sanghatan (JMS) State Secretary and party state secretariat member comrade Asha Sharma, Siddheshwar Shukla Party area secretary and state committee member and many other local comrades were part of the team.
Related:
Ghastly murder of a minor girl on street fuels communal fire: Delhi
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1500-strong rally marches to Thane District Collectorate: Maharashtra
A huge protest rally of 15,000 women, marching to the Thane-Palghar district collectorate was organised by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) on Friday, May 36.
The issues agitated were poor public distribution system (quality and availability of ration in ration shops), employment, water, electricity, health. Women who protested had come from Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, Shahapur and Murbad tehsils.
Only two days ago, on May 24, AIDWA had led a 12,000-strong women's rally and gherao of the Palghar district collectorate on the same issues.
After holding a demonstration where spirited and resounding slogans were heard for over two hours, the district collector invited an AIDWA delegation for talks. All officials of the concerned departments were also called. A good discussion took place, and the collector gave concrete assurances on most issues. CPI(M) MLA from Dahanu, Vinod Nikole, was present in the talks.
The AIDWA delegation included Prachi Hatiwlekar, Lahani Dauda, Sunita Shingda, Nikita Kakra, Kamal Valamba, Kamla Gattu, Dr Kavita Ware, Jyoti Tayde, and Sonya Gill and Hemlata Patil. AIDWA leaders from Mumbai Rekha Deshpande, Sugandhi Francis, Madhuri Bhojgar, and from Raigad district Amita Thakur, Kunda Patil had specially come to Thane in solidarity with this rally.
Related:
Protests mount, 12,000 women march on issues of poor ration in PDS, water scarcity, unemployment
1500-strong rally marches to Thane District Collectorate: Maharashtra
A huge protest rally of 15,000 women, marching to the Thane-Palghar district collectorate was organised by the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) on Friday, May 36.
The issues agitated were poor public distribution system (quality and availability of ration in ration shops), employment, water, electricity, health. Women who protested had come from Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Ulhasnagar, Shahapur and Murbad tehsils.
Only two days ago, on May 24, AIDWA had led a 12,000-strong women's rally and gherao of the Palghar district collectorate on the same issues.
After holding a demonstration where spirited and resounding slogans were heard for over two hours, the district collector invited an AIDWA delegation for talks. All officials of the concerned departments were also called. A good discussion took place, and the collector gave concrete assurances on most issues. CPI(M) MLA from Dahanu, Vinod Nikole, was present in the talks.
The AIDWA delegation included Prachi Hatiwlekar, Lahani Dauda, Sunita Shingda, Nikita Kakra, Kamal Valamba, Kamla Gattu, Dr Kavita Ware, Jyoti Tayde, and Sonya Gill and Hemlata Patil. AIDWA leaders from Mumbai Rekha Deshpande, Sugandhi Francis, Madhuri Bhojgar, and from Raigad district Amita Thakur, Kunda Patil had specially come to Thane in solidarity with this rally.
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Protests mount, 12,000 women march on issues of poor ration in PDS, water scarcity, unemployment
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The Invisible Split: A report documenting reports of “ethnic cleansing” in Manipur, 2023
The report contains detailed account of events leading up to the allegedly dehumanising pogrom, aims to disclose the ground realities
Violence had gripped the state of Manipur since May 3, as unrest between ethnic groups saw buildings set ablaze and charred vehicles strewn across roads, leaving many dead and tens of thousands homeless. The violence and breakage of law and order in the state was after thousands of people from the Naga and Kuki tribes took part in a rally against the majority Meitei ethnic group being afforded special status under India’s “Scheduled Tribe” grouping.
Notably, the Meitei community, an ethnic group who account for about 50% of the state’s population, have for years campaigned to be recognised as a scheduled tribe, which would give them access to wider benefits including health, education and government jobs. Ethnic violence engulfed Manipur, along with arson, curfews enforced by army and paramilitary, food scarcity, suspension of internet, resulting in more than 70 being murdered and 30,000 forced to flee. Reports of police complicity and attacks on Christian churches have also come in.
The Media and IT Cell of Zomi Students' Federation has released a report titled 'The Inevitable Split,' which documents the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing in Manipur, 2023. The report, which is divided into six parts, contains a detailed account of the events leading up to the dehumanizing ethnic cleansing pogrom. The main objective behind releasing the said report is to "disclose the ground realities of the said pogrom to the public, to ensure that the real voices of the tribal people reach them."
Aside from highlighting the nature of the crimes against humanity committed by armed civilians and local militias (Arambai Tenggol) with the assistance of state police forces, particularly the State Commandos, the document also highlights how this recent attack is an outbreak of a historical systematic exploitation of tribals in Manipur.
The document additionally explores how the ground realities of the pogrom were manipulated by a surge of fake news, and how dehumanizing crimes were rationalized through false propaganda and narratives, a pattern that has been followed since the 2020 North-east Delhi riots. The final chapter emphasizes the tribals' long-drawn aspirations, which can be summarized as "Separation Only Solution (SOS)". It contends that because there is already an emotional, and now physical and geographical, vertical divide between hill and valley dwellers, a separate administration is unavoidable.
Complexities in Manipur
Ironically, the Kuki groups (here the Zomi hill council that today blames chief minister, Biren Singh for being communal had willingly signed up with the same Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to put up a candidate from 2019 onwards as part of their ongoing negotiations; today they say their faith in the regime has been lost. As far as Meitis go at a micro level, are classified as SCs, even OBCs. Reportedly, in Burma/Myanmar Meitei are classified as tribe. Colonial governance has played a role in this segregation and map making but today there can be no doubt with the callous disregard towards the people of Manipur being displayed by the state government (BJP and union government (BJP), the absence of any efforts and dialogic breakthrough is stark. Even as the overall discourse is obscured by the riot template invoked by the regime
The said report can be viewed here:
Related:
120 Churches destroyed, Christians insecure: Manipur
No Compensation Enough for Traumatised Kukis Fleeing Manipur
Demand for President’s Rule in Manipur gains traction; more than 46,000 signatories
Even as Manipur burns, humanity thrives
Demolition of 3 Churches in BJP-Ruled Manipur for 'Illegal Construction' causes social media uproar
The Invisible Split: A report documenting reports of “ethnic cleansing” in Manipur, 2023
The report contains detailed account of events leading up to the allegedly dehumanising pogrom, aims to disclose the ground realities
Violence had gripped the state of Manipur since May 3, as unrest between ethnic groups saw buildings set ablaze and charred vehicles strewn across roads, leaving many dead and tens of thousands homeless. The violence and breakage of law and order in the state was after thousands of people from the Naga and Kuki tribes took part in a rally against the majority Meitei ethnic group being afforded special status under India’s “Scheduled Tribe” grouping.
Notably, the Meitei community, an ethnic group who account for about 50% of the state’s population, have for years campaigned to be recognised as a scheduled tribe, which would give them access to wider benefits including health, education and government jobs. Ethnic violence engulfed Manipur, along with arson, curfews enforced by army and paramilitary, food scarcity, suspension of internet, resulting in more than 70 being murdered and 30,000 forced to flee. Reports of police complicity and attacks on Christian churches have also come in.
The Media and IT Cell of Zomi Students' Federation has released a report titled 'The Inevitable Split,' which documents the state-sponsored ethnic cleansing in Manipur, 2023. The report, which is divided into six parts, contains a detailed account of the events leading up to the dehumanizing ethnic cleansing pogrom. The main objective behind releasing the said report is to "disclose the ground realities of the said pogrom to the public, to ensure that the real voices of the tribal people reach them."
Aside from highlighting the nature of the crimes against humanity committed by armed civilians and local militias (Arambai Tenggol) with the assistance of state police forces, particularly the State Commandos, the document also highlights how this recent attack is an outbreak of a historical systematic exploitation of tribals in Manipur.
The document additionally explores how the ground realities of the pogrom were manipulated by a surge of fake news, and how dehumanizing crimes were rationalized through false propaganda and narratives, a pattern that has been followed since the 2020 North-east Delhi riots. The final chapter emphasizes the tribals' long-drawn aspirations, which can be summarized as "Separation Only Solution (SOS)". It contends that because there is already an emotional, and now physical and geographical, vertical divide between hill and valley dwellers, a separate administration is unavoidable.
Complexities in Manipur
Ironically, the Kuki groups (here the Zomi hill council that today blames chief minister, Biren Singh for being communal had willingly signed up with the same Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to put up a candidate from 2019 onwards as part of their ongoing negotiations; today they say their faith in the regime has been lost. As far as Meitis go at a micro level, are classified as SCs, even OBCs. Reportedly, in Burma/Myanmar Meitei are classified as tribe. Colonial governance has played a role in this segregation and map making but today there can be no doubt with the callous disregard towards the people of Manipur being displayed by the state government (BJP and union government (BJP), the absence of any efforts and dialogic breakthrough is stark. Even as the overall discourse is obscured by the riot template invoked by the regime
The said report can be viewed here:
Related:
120 Churches destroyed, Christians insecure: Manipur
No Compensation Enough for Traumatised Kukis Fleeing Manipur
Demand for President’s Rule in Manipur gains traction; more than 46,000 signatories
Even as Manipur burns, humanity thrives
Demolition of 3 Churches in BJP-Ruled Manipur for 'Illegal Construction' causes social media uproar
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Protests mount, 12,000 women march on issues of poor ration in PDS, water scarcity, unemployment
AIDWA Organises 12,000-Strong Massive March and Gherao of Palghar District Collectorate in Maharashtra on Wednesday
Always a stronghold of the left for close to a century, the Adivasi (tribal) district of Palghar saw over 12,000 women from the whole Palghar district leading a massive march and gherao of the Palghar district collectorate on the burning. issues of ration, employment, water, and health. The administration and the police were caught totally unprepared. The protest took place on Wednesday May 24.
All officials and journalists assessed that this was among the largest protest actions by women in the last 10 years after the new Palghar district was carved out of Thane district in 2014. Most of the women were Adivasis, but there was also a fair share of non-Adivasi women from different walks of life. They hailed from all 8 tehsils of Palghar district - Talasari, Dahanu, Jawhar, Mokhada, Vikramgad, Wada, Vasai and Palghar.
Giving resounding slogans on their demands as they marched, the sea of women (see pictures ) marched right into the collectorate and gheraoed it. It was only then that the administration swung into action, mobilised the officials, and held a two and a half hour discussion with the delegation from the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA). CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole was present. Two major decisions were taken.
1. The dates for tehsil level camps were finalised to resolve all issues related to ration (PDS) were decided upon. Both government officials and AIDWA leaders would be present.
2. On the other serious issues of water, employment, and health, the District Collector would convene a separate meeting of all officials with AIDWA at the earliest.
Preceding this mass protest, AIDWA women had led a 15-day campaign of filling in thousands of forms on the above issues, and these were submitted to the authorities and official receipts were obtained. Hundreds of local activists of AIDWA worked very hard for the success of this action. They were helped by fraternal organisations like the AIKS, CITU, and DYFI.
The delegation comprised AIDWA district secretary Lahani Dauda, district president Prachi Hatiwlekar, district treasurer Sunita Shingda, and other leaders.
On May 26, Thursday, another such AIDWA-led rally of women from tehsils of Thane district will march to the Thane district collectorate on the same issues.
Related:
AIDWA Calls for Fight Against Increasing Gender-Based Violence
With a 17-point demand charter, AIKS-led 10,000-strong Kisan Long March starts in Nashik
Protests mount, 12,000 women march on issues of poor ration in PDS, water scarcity, unemployment
AIDWA Organises 12,000-Strong Massive March and Gherao of Palghar District Collectorate in Maharashtra on Wednesday
Always a stronghold of the left for close to a century, the Adivasi (tribal) district of Palghar saw over 12,000 women from the whole Palghar district leading a massive march and gherao of the Palghar district collectorate on the burning. issues of ration, employment, water, and health. The administration and the police were caught totally unprepared. The protest took place on Wednesday May 24.
All officials and journalists assessed that this was among the largest protest actions by women in the last 10 years after the new Palghar district was carved out of Thane district in 2014. Most of the women were Adivasis, but there was also a fair share of non-Adivasi women from different walks of life. They hailed from all 8 tehsils of Palghar district - Talasari, Dahanu, Jawhar, Mokhada, Vikramgad, Wada, Vasai and Palghar.
Giving resounding slogans on their demands as they marched, the sea of women (see pictures ) marched right into the collectorate and gheraoed it. It was only then that the administration swung into action, mobilised the officials, and held a two and a half hour discussion with the delegation from the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA). CPI(M) MLA Vinod Nikole was present. Two major decisions were taken.
1. The dates for tehsil level camps were finalised to resolve all issues related to ration (PDS) were decided upon. Both government officials and AIDWA leaders would be present.
2. On the other serious issues of water, employment, and health, the District Collector would convene a separate meeting of all officials with AIDWA at the earliest.
Preceding this mass protest, AIDWA women had led a 15-day campaign of filling in thousands of forms on the above issues, and these were submitted to the authorities and official receipts were obtained. Hundreds of local activists of AIDWA worked very hard for the success of this action. They were helped by fraternal organisations like the AIKS, CITU, and DYFI.
The delegation comprised AIDWA district secretary Lahani Dauda, district president Prachi Hatiwlekar, district treasurer Sunita Shingda, and other leaders.
On May 26, Thursday, another such AIDWA-led rally of women from tehsils of Thane district will march to the Thane district collectorate on the same issues.
Related:
AIDWA Calls for Fight Against Increasing Gender-Based Violence
With a 17-point demand charter, AIKS-led 10,000-strong Kisan Long March starts in Nashik
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UP: SHO suspended after delay in investigation of minor Dalit girl's rape
The father of the Dalit girl committed suicide after the police forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused
Representation Image | Courtesy: Times of India
The Station House officer (SHO) of Amaria police station in UP’s Pilibhit was suspended as he allegedly caused delay in filing FIR and arresting accused persons involved in kidnapping and rape of a 11-year-old Dalit girl. The girl’s father, a farmer, committed suicide as the SHO, Mukesh Shukla, allegedly tried to force a compromise between the girl and the accused, reported The Times of India.
On May 9, as the minor girl was on her way to meet her father who was working in the farm, the accused, in their 20s, kidnapped her. The following day when the father filed a complaint, the SHO allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused, in the absence of the girl’s parents and the matter was then closed. After the case was closed, the girl’s father hanged himself from a tree and his body was found on May 17. Finally, an FIR was registered after this incident. Shukla (who was not suspended then) told TOI that the accused were Rahul, Dinesh and Rohit and they were booked under section 363 (kidnapping), 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 306 (abetment to suicide) as well some sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
It has been alleged by the girl’s brother that she was abducted and taken to Kichha in Uttarakhand by the accused where she was raped by one of the accused and she was threatened of dire consequences if she told the cops.
A report was filed by SP, Pilibhit, Atul Sharma against Shukla and hence he was suspended. Further a detailed inquiry has been instituted against Shukla led by Circle Officer, Dr Prateek Dahiya.
Shukla even delayed the medical examination of the survivor who was finally sent for examination on May 20. Dr Anita Chaurasia told the publication that 11 days after the incident they can only identify healed scars of injury (if any).
Related:
Hate Watch Agra: “Upper caste” Hindus assault Dalit groom for riding a mare
UP: SHO suspended after delay in investigation of minor Dalit girl's rape
The father of the Dalit girl committed suicide after the police forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused
Representation Image | Courtesy: Times of India
The Station House officer (SHO) of Amaria police station in UP’s Pilibhit was suspended as he allegedly caused delay in filing FIR and arresting accused persons involved in kidnapping and rape of a 11-year-old Dalit girl. The girl’s father, a farmer, committed suicide as the SHO, Mukesh Shukla, allegedly tried to force a compromise between the girl and the accused, reported The Times of India.
On May 9, as the minor girl was on her way to meet her father who was working in the farm, the accused, in their 20s, kidnapped her. The following day when the father filed a complaint, the SHO allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused, in the absence of the girl’s parents and the matter was then closed. After the case was closed, the girl’s father hanged himself from a tree and his body was found on May 17. Finally, an FIR was registered after this incident. Shukla (who was not suspended then) told TOI that the accused were Rahul, Dinesh and Rohit and they were booked under section 363 (kidnapping), 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 306 (abetment to suicide) as well some sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
It has been alleged by the girl’s brother that she was abducted and taken to Kichha in Uttarakhand by the accused where she was raped by one of the accused and she was threatened of dire consequences if she told the cops.
A report was filed by SP, Pilibhit, Atul Sharma against Shukla and hence he was suspended. Further a detailed inquiry has been instituted against Shukla led by Circle Officer, Dr Prateek Dahiya.
Shukla even delayed the medical examination of the survivor who was finally sent for examination on May 20. Dr Anita Chaurasia told the publication that 11 days after the incident they can only identify healed scars of injury (if any).
Related:
Hate Watch Agra: “Upper caste” Hindus assault Dalit groom for riding a mare
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The sound of silence: A Bharia story
There is so much cacophony on ‘development’, that shrieking voices dissolve the milder ones, as bulldozers transform landscapes, and brush away healing sources of life along with the people who are nourished by them.
I live in Madhya Pradesh (MP), the Indian state with the largest numbers of tribal people, as well as the highest malnutrition of children. The Narmada River, flowing across the state, has witnessed large dispossessions of tribal peoples through development and conservation projects.
The tribal communities of Central Provinces were forced to migrate from the fertile riverine plains to the rugged forested terrains initially during the advent of the Marathas, later deprived through colonial interventions, and further marginalised in contemporary times through capitalist development.
The Saharia community in MP represents the most deprived ‘particularly vulnerable tribal group’ (PVTG). Their illiteracy and malnutrition have arisen from landlessness, dispossession and rehabilitation of the community by development projects. Forced in to wage labour in brick kilns, agricultural fields and road construction, they are located today in the most deprived rungs of the stratified non-tribal society.
In contradistinction to the Saharia, the Bharia community, also a PVTG, live in forest lands in Patalkot, with good nutritional levels and above the average literacy rate[i] of tribal communities in MP. Patalkot, in Chindwara district, is a deep valley of River Doodhi surrounded by steep rocks. It is part of the Narmada River catchment in the Satpura mountains.
Most of the villages of Patalkot, totalling 12, can be reached only by foot while some can be reached by roads. The Bharia people climb up to reach market places, and students walk several kilometres to reach schools. There are 4824 Bharia people living in Patalkot.
Last year we had the opportunity to research with the Bharia people, and by the end of the study we called it ‘a turning of the tables’ in which the people’s conversations, reflections, oral history, theory and agency evolved a rich knowledge base of lived experiences.
We had made a documentary movie too, and as the Bharia people watched it, they remarked on the unusual structuring of the research forum which listened and made them heard. Seated on chairs in a circular formation, they contradicted it with meetings with government officials where the latter occupies podiums and people squat on floors.
The sound of silence, as this essay is titled, is a story that weaves together the conversations of the Bharia people from across the valley:
We live in the deep valley of River Doodhi. We revere the forest where our knowledge and spirituality lie. We take from the forests and we protect them.
Our healing is based on knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs. Our large variety of food is gathered from the forests. We also cultivate maize, kodo-kutki and lentils, and keep poultry.
We sell forest produce. But they cheat us through their weights and prices. Moneylenders roam our lands- eyeing vulnerabilities, extracting interests in kind, that always make our produce flow more and more in to their hands, and yet make us indebted.
The forest department of the government manages the forests. They select and fell trees, saying that this makes the other trees grow well. We do not agree. Trees grow together. What they cut down as useless trees are those that give us food. The fruits, flowers and leaves are also eaten by birds and animals. We say this to the forest officials. But they don’t understand.
We hope in the mud that clings on to the rocks. There we plant, so that trees would grow to bring water and food to the land. We sing and dance together. They call us to the cities to dance. We get paid. They call us to the fields and road sites to labour. We get some money.
We sing and talk in the Bharia language. We have so many words for the flowers, fruits, birds, bees, roots and streams that fill our lives. But we have no script to write. Many languages do not have scripts.
Our God, Bada dev, lives in everything around, and in us. We revere the Saaj tree. We build no temples, churches or mosques. We have no priests, no middlemen. We eat, dance, heal and care for each other. So, we do not build huge structures, and we have no one dying of want. But they call us backward.
We have learnt to read and write in schools. The books do not tell what we have just told you. They only talk of the city, and of times and space that label us as backward. Our people who learn more from the schools come back and wonder:
“Perhaps the Bharia people are less in intellect?”.
But if the books held our world, we would answer all the questions, and our intellect would talk.
We are in the deep roots of the Saaj tree. As we hold hands and dance in a circle, those who have gone uphill sit alone, look at their own hands, and say:
“All fingers of the hands are not equal. There are bigger people and smaller ones.”
But we continue to hold hands, we have no hierarchy of caste, no temples, mosques or churches. We, women and men, dance, drink, eat and share. In our Bharia meetings, we build consensus and collectivity. We stand in and with our forests.
We shrivel without the Saaj tree, our streams, fruits, medicines and our togetherness. But they do not agree. They say resources are to be extracted, and in their gaze, we are untapped cheap labour.
[i] Census of India 2011 records the average literacy rate of tribal population in MP as 50.6% and that of Bharia people of Patalkot as 58.14%
Yemuna Sunny is a researcher, writer and teacher. Her areas of work lie in the intersections of society, nature and education.Contact: yemunas@gmail.com
Courtesy: https://countercurrents.org
The sound of silence: A Bharia story
There is so much cacophony on ‘development’, that shrieking voices dissolve the milder ones, as bulldozers transform landscapes, and brush away healing sources of life along with the people who are nourished by them.
I live in Madhya Pradesh (MP), the Indian state with the largest numbers of tribal people, as well as the highest malnutrition of children. The Narmada River, flowing across the state, has witnessed large dispossessions of tribal peoples through development and conservation projects.
The tribal communities of Central Provinces were forced to migrate from the fertile riverine plains to the rugged forested terrains initially during the advent of the Marathas, later deprived through colonial interventions, and further marginalised in contemporary times through capitalist development.
The Saharia community in MP represents the most deprived ‘particularly vulnerable tribal group’ (PVTG). Their illiteracy and malnutrition have arisen from landlessness, dispossession and rehabilitation of the community by development projects. Forced in to wage labour in brick kilns, agricultural fields and road construction, they are located today in the most deprived rungs of the stratified non-tribal society.
In contradistinction to the Saharia, the Bharia community, also a PVTG, live in forest lands in Patalkot, with good nutritional levels and above the average literacy rate[i] of tribal communities in MP. Patalkot, in Chindwara district, is a deep valley of River Doodhi surrounded by steep rocks. It is part of the Narmada River catchment in the Satpura mountains.
Most of the villages of Patalkot, totalling 12, can be reached only by foot while some can be reached by roads. The Bharia people climb up to reach market places, and students walk several kilometres to reach schools. There are 4824 Bharia people living in Patalkot.
Last year we had the opportunity to research with the Bharia people, and by the end of the study we called it ‘a turning of the tables’ in which the people’s conversations, reflections, oral history, theory and agency evolved a rich knowledge base of lived experiences.
We had made a documentary movie too, and as the Bharia people watched it, they remarked on the unusual structuring of the research forum which listened and made them heard. Seated on chairs in a circular formation, they contradicted it with meetings with government officials where the latter occupies podiums and people squat on floors.
The sound of silence, as this essay is titled, is a story that weaves together the conversations of the Bharia people from across the valley:
We live in the deep valley of River Doodhi. We revere the forest where our knowledge and spirituality lie. We take from the forests and we protect them.
Our healing is based on knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs. Our large variety of food is gathered from the forests. We also cultivate maize, kodo-kutki and lentils, and keep poultry.
We sell forest produce. But they cheat us through their weights and prices. Moneylenders roam our lands- eyeing vulnerabilities, extracting interests in kind, that always make our produce flow more and more in to their hands, and yet make us indebted.
The forest department of the government manages the forests. They select and fell trees, saying that this makes the other trees grow well. We do not agree. Trees grow together. What they cut down as useless trees are those that give us food. The fruits, flowers and leaves are also eaten by birds and animals. We say this to the forest officials. But they don’t understand.
We hope in the mud that clings on to the rocks. There we plant, so that trees would grow to bring water and food to the land. We sing and dance together. They call us to the cities to dance. We get paid. They call us to the fields and road sites to labour. We get some money.
We sing and talk in the Bharia language. We have so many words for the flowers, fruits, birds, bees, roots and streams that fill our lives. But we have no script to write. Many languages do not have scripts.
Our God, Bada dev, lives in everything around, and in us. We revere the Saaj tree. We build no temples, churches or mosques. We have no priests, no middlemen. We eat, dance, heal and care for each other. So, we do not build huge structures, and we have no one dying of want. But they call us backward.
We have learnt to read and write in schools. The books do not tell what we have just told you. They only talk of the city, and of times and space that label us as backward. Our people who learn more from the schools come back and wonder:
“Perhaps the Bharia people are less in intellect?”.
But if the books held our world, we would answer all the questions, and our intellect would talk.
We are in the deep roots of the Saaj tree. As we hold hands and dance in a circle, those who have gone uphill sit alone, look at their own hands, and say:
“All fingers of the hands are not equal. There are bigger people and smaller ones.”
But we continue to hold hands, we have no hierarchy of caste, no temples, mosques or churches. We, women and men, dance, drink, eat and share. In our Bharia meetings, we build consensus and collectivity. We stand in and with our forests.
We shrivel without the Saaj tree, our streams, fruits, medicines and our togetherness. But they do not agree. They say resources are to be extracted, and in their gaze, we are untapped cheap labour.
[i] Census of India 2011 records the average literacy rate of tribal population in MP as 50.6% and that of Bharia people of Patalkot as 58.14%
Yemuna Sunny is a researcher, writer and teacher. Her areas of work lie in the intersections of society, nature and education.Contact: yemunas@gmail.com
Courtesy: https://countercurrents.org
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National Commission for Scheduled Tribes objects to blueprint of centre's new welfare mission
The union government’s “Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs” will now merge two previous policy initiatives, the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Component. The commission, a statutory body, said the problems and issues faced by SCs and STs are very different and need distinct approaches.
New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), a statutory body that monitors safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and ensures they are met, has objected to the blueprint of the PM and union government’s Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs (PMSIM), as per an Economic Times report.
The major objection is that PMSIM will merge two major and inherently distinct initiatives – the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) – the ET reported. Problems faced by the SCs and STs are very specific, and need different approaches; putting both initiatives under one head would endanger this, These objections have been conveyed to the government.
The brand-new PMSIM
The Union government is soon to launch the new “PM Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs” or PMSIM. The recently conceived flagship mission, budgeted at Rs 2.5 lakh crore, aims to implement targeted schemes for the socially and economically backward Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It will also fund schemes (including scholarships and skilling programmes) benefiting people in these communities, and habitations in villages with over 50% SC and ST population bypassing states.
The mission also aims to merge two existing, and vastly different initiatives set up for the benefit of the SC and ST communities. These are the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC). Currently, the two programmes are separate. According to the ET report, they required 41 Central ministries and departments to allocate a certain proportion of Budget outlay (around 16.6% for Scheduled Castes and 8.6% for Scheduled Tribes) for targeted schemes.
Two objections
This merging is one of the features of the PMSIM that the NCST has objected to, according to the ET report on May 11.
The newspaper quotes sources stating that the NCST has told the government that the problems of SCs and STs are “distinctly different in nature and require separate strategies for identification of gaps and prevailing disparities as well as providing administrative arrangements and solutions thereof are also likely to be different for both categories”. ET also reported that the NCST recommended that separate guidelines and strategies be adopted for STs.
Another aspect of the PMSIM that the NCST has objected to is that it exempts some ministries and departments from allocating budgets for ST welfare schemes, details the report. These are the Ministry of Coal, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The NCST has objected to this exemption and has sought justification for this, according to the report.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes objects to blueprint of centre's new welfare mission
The union government’s “Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs” will now merge two previous policy initiatives, the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Component. The commission, a statutory body, said the problems and issues faced by SCs and STs are very different and need distinct approaches.
New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), a statutory body that monitors safeguards for Scheduled Tribes and ensures they are met, has objected to the blueprint of the PM and union government’s Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs (PMSIM), as per an Economic Times report.
The major objection is that PMSIM will merge two major and inherently distinct initiatives – the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and Scheduled Tribe Component (STC) – the ET reported. Problems faced by the SCs and STs are very specific, and need different approaches; putting both initiatives under one head would endanger this, These objections have been conveyed to the government.
The brand-new PMSIM
The Union government is soon to launch the new “PM Social Inclusion Mission for Welfare of SCs and STs” or PMSIM. The recently conceived flagship mission, budgeted at Rs 2.5 lakh crore, aims to implement targeted schemes for the socially and economically backward Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It will also fund schemes (including scholarships and skilling programmes) benefiting people in these communities, and habitations in villages with over 50% SC and ST population bypassing states.
The mission also aims to merge two existing, and vastly different initiatives set up for the benefit of the SC and ST communities. These are the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) and the Scheduled Tribe Component (STC). Currently, the two programmes are separate. According to the ET report, they required 41 Central ministries and departments to allocate a certain proportion of Budget outlay (around 16.6% for Scheduled Castes and 8.6% for Scheduled Tribes) for targeted schemes.
Two objections
This merging is one of the features of the PMSIM that the NCST has objected to, according to the ET report on May 11.
The newspaper quotes sources stating that the NCST has told the government that the problems of SCs and STs are “distinctly different in nature and require separate strategies for identification of gaps and prevailing disparities as well as providing administrative arrangements and solutions thereof are also likely to be different for both categories”. ET also reported that the NCST recommended that separate guidelines and strategies be adopted for STs.
Another aspect of the PMSIM that the NCST has objected to is that it exempts some ministries and departments from allocating budgets for ST welfare schemes, details the report. These are the Ministry of Coal, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The NCST has objected to this exemption and has sought justification for this, according to the report.
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“Highly appalling to see SIT ignoring rank caste discrimination Darshan faced despite overwhelming evidence”: Ramesh Solanki
Addressing a press conference, family of Darshan Solanki express anguish over the course of the investigation being conducted by the SIT, term it “highly suspicious”
On May 11, three months after the death of Darshan Solanki, a first-year B.Tech (Chemical) student at IIT Bombay who had died by suicide on February 12, 2023 due to facing alleged “severe caste discrimination” at the Institute, his father, Ramesh Bhai Solanki addressed a press conference at the Mumbai Press Club. At said conference was also attended by his daughter and Darshan's sister Janvi Solanki and Former Member of Parliament Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar.
During the conference, Darshan’s father narrated the difficulties they have had to face since the death of his son, to get the case registered, to get the investigation started, and then to have the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed. He also spoke about how, even after the investigation started, the caste discrimination angle was not given much attend, and was rather left on the side lines while the focus became the sole student who was being blamed in this case. Ramesh Solanki had termed it to be “highly suspicious” that the SIT in this case had ignored all the testimonies that point to the fact that “Darshan was facing caste discrimination” from his roommate, classmates and other people in the institute and was deeply affected by it.
Providing the chronology, during the conference, Ramesh Solanki said that upon Solanki’s death, the Powai police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) instead of an FIR inspite of “evidence of caste discrimination” and started investigation. However, after mounting pressure and demands of the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter, the Maharashtra Government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of Lakhmi Gautam, Joint CP (Crime), Mumbai; Upadhyaya, DCP; Bhosale, ACP, to investigate the case.
Janvi Solanki then provided that in the second week of April, she stumbled upon Darshan’s social media accounts while trying to log into social media and came across Darshan’s chat with an account of “Sam Rajput” on Instagram. As was provided in the press conference, it was through social media only that Janvi got to know that Darshan’s peers had been asking about his rank, his category for admission, and Darshan’s apprehension about another person ‘also’ not liking him.
“It is telling of the fact that in Darshan’s experience in IIT-Bombay, people stopped liking him after they learned that he was a reserved category student. It is yet another evidence of caste discrimination he faced in a line of so many that have already been revealed, showing that he was isolated, taunted and ostracized due to his caste,” Dr Mungekar said, as provided by the Mid-day.
Ramesh Solanki expressed his anguish by saying that even after new evidence was provided, in addition to the many submitted testimonies regarding the caste discrimination that Darshan faced in IIT-Bombay, the focus of the investigation was never the caste discrimination that Darshan faced. Ramesh Solanki further provided that Darshan even wanted to change his room because of the harassment he faced from his roommate. His peers mocked him for his questions about the know-how of computer, electronic gadgets and other subject matters, he said.
“On knowing Darshan’s caste, they ostracized him, reduced their interaction with him, and humiliated him for belonging to the SC category. Darshan had confided to his sister Janvi that when his peers learned that he is from the SC community, they would call him out and say… ‘dalit aaya..dalit aaya’ (look, the Dalit is here) when he would try to join them during group studies or meal hours. His classmate from the SC category has mentioned to the IIT-Bombay internal committee that Darshan was sensitive about his caste and often thought about what others would think about a reserved category student studying in an institute like IIT Bombay,” the family said in a press release after addressing the press conference.
The full press release can be viewed here:
Related:
File FIR against Head Counsellor, Ms Hima Anaredy under Atrocities Act: NCST to IIT Mumbai
IIT Mumbai report on Darshan Solanki death, crucial evidence overlooked
How many lives will it take before India acknowledges dominant caste hegemony in educational institutes?
Lessons Unlearned: Nine years after the Thorat Committee report
The Death of Merit: Dalit Suicides in institutes of higher learning
Systemic Prejudice, Absence of Grievance Redressal reasons for Dalit Suicides: Teacher Testimonies
A letter that should shake our world: Dalit scholar suicide triggers outrage
Rohith Vemula’s ‘institutional murder’: Five years on, family and friends still wait for justice
Why have India’s elite institutions sounded the death knell for Dalit Adivasi-Muslim scholars?
IITs unable to create safe spaces for students
MP: Dalit boy dies by suicide, blames teacher’s casteist remarks
“Highly appalling to see SIT ignoring rank caste discrimination Darshan faced despite overwhelming evidence”: Ramesh Solanki
Addressing a press conference, family of Darshan Solanki express anguish over the course of the investigation being conducted by the SIT, term it “highly suspicious”
On May 11, three months after the death of Darshan Solanki, a first-year B.Tech (Chemical) student at IIT Bombay who had died by suicide on February 12, 2023 due to facing alleged “severe caste discrimination” at the Institute, his father, Ramesh Bhai Solanki addressed a press conference at the Mumbai Press Club. At said conference was also attended by his daughter and Darshan's sister Janvi Solanki and Former Member of Parliament Dr Bhalchandra Mungekar.
During the conference, Darshan’s father narrated the difficulties they have had to face since the death of his son, to get the case registered, to get the investigation started, and then to have the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed. He also spoke about how, even after the investigation started, the caste discrimination angle was not given much attend, and was rather left on the side lines while the focus became the sole student who was being blamed in this case. Ramesh Solanki had termed it to be “highly suspicious” that the SIT in this case had ignored all the testimonies that point to the fact that “Darshan was facing caste discrimination” from his roommate, classmates and other people in the institute and was deeply affected by it.
Providing the chronology, during the conference, Ramesh Solanki said that upon Solanki’s death, the Powai police registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) instead of an FIR inspite of “evidence of caste discrimination” and started investigation. However, after mounting pressure and demands of the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to investigate the matter, the Maharashtra Government formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of Lakhmi Gautam, Joint CP (Crime), Mumbai; Upadhyaya, DCP; Bhosale, ACP, to investigate the case.
Janvi Solanki then provided that in the second week of April, she stumbled upon Darshan’s social media accounts while trying to log into social media and came across Darshan’s chat with an account of “Sam Rajput” on Instagram. As was provided in the press conference, it was through social media only that Janvi got to know that Darshan’s peers had been asking about his rank, his category for admission, and Darshan’s apprehension about another person ‘also’ not liking him.
“It is telling of the fact that in Darshan’s experience in IIT-Bombay, people stopped liking him after they learned that he was a reserved category student. It is yet another evidence of caste discrimination he faced in a line of so many that have already been revealed, showing that he was isolated, taunted and ostracized due to his caste,” Dr Mungekar said, as provided by the Mid-day.
Ramesh Solanki expressed his anguish by saying that even after new evidence was provided, in addition to the many submitted testimonies regarding the caste discrimination that Darshan faced in IIT-Bombay, the focus of the investigation was never the caste discrimination that Darshan faced. Ramesh Solanki further provided that Darshan even wanted to change his room because of the harassment he faced from his roommate. His peers mocked him for his questions about the know-how of computer, electronic gadgets and other subject matters, he said.
“On knowing Darshan’s caste, they ostracized him, reduced their interaction with him, and humiliated him for belonging to the SC category. Darshan had confided to his sister Janvi that when his peers learned that he is from the SC community, they would call him out and say… ‘dalit aaya..dalit aaya’ (look, the Dalit is here) when he would try to join them during group studies or meal hours. His classmate from the SC category has mentioned to the IIT-Bombay internal committee that Darshan was sensitive about his caste and often thought about what others would think about a reserved category student studying in an institute like IIT Bombay,” the family said in a press release after addressing the press conference.
The full press release can be viewed here:
Related:
File FIR against Head Counsellor, Ms Hima Anaredy under Atrocities Act: NCST to IIT Mumbai
IIT Mumbai report on Darshan Solanki death, crucial evidence overlooked
How many lives will it take before India acknowledges dominant caste hegemony in educational institutes?
Lessons Unlearned: Nine years after the Thorat Committee report
The Death of Merit: Dalit Suicides in institutes of higher learning
Systemic Prejudice, Absence of Grievance Redressal reasons for Dalit Suicides: Teacher Testimonies
A letter that should shake our world: Dalit scholar suicide triggers outrage
Rohith Vemula’s ‘institutional murder’: Five years on, family and friends still wait for justice
Why have India’s elite institutions sounded the death knell for Dalit Adivasi-Muslim scholars?
IITs unable to create safe spaces for students
MP: Dalit boy dies by suicide, blames teacher’s casteist remarks
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Hate Watch Agra: “Upper caste” Hindus assault Dalit groom for riding a mare
As per the complaint, the men also cut the power supply to the marriage hall
On Wednesday, a Dalit man was set to marry his bride in Agra when on the way he was assaulted by some “upper caste” Hindus in Sohalla Jatav Basti. He was forced to get off the mare as stated in a complaint filed by his mother-in-law Geeta Jatav. The Agra Sadar Bazar police station has booked 25 persons; however, no arrests have been made yet.
As per the complaint when the wedding procession was passing through the area, 20-25 “upper caste” men came armed with iron rods, forced the groom to get off the mare and thrashed him. “Dalit grooms do not go to their marriage on a mare in our village, how dare you?” they said.
Moreover, when other Dalits came forward to help the groom, they were also beaten, and the culprits even molested some Dalit women. Further, they cut the power supply to Radha Krishna Marriage Hall, where the marriage was to take place. Yogesh Thakur, Rahul Kumar, Sonu Thakur, Kunal and Shishupal have been booked along with 20 unidentified men under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reported The Indian Express.
Related:
Dalit woman allegedly murdered by Hindu husband in Madurai
Anti-Dalit violence all pervasive even in April 2023, #DalitHistory month
Hate Watch Agra: “Upper caste” Hindus assault Dalit groom for riding a mare
As per the complaint, the men also cut the power supply to the marriage hall
On Wednesday, a Dalit man was set to marry his bride in Agra when on the way he was assaulted by some “upper caste” Hindus in Sohalla Jatav Basti. He was forced to get off the mare as stated in a complaint filed by his mother-in-law Geeta Jatav. The Agra Sadar Bazar police station has booked 25 persons; however, no arrests have been made yet.
As per the complaint when the wedding procession was passing through the area, 20-25 “upper caste” men came armed with iron rods, forced the groom to get off the mare and thrashed him. “Dalit grooms do not go to their marriage on a mare in our village, how dare you?” they said.
Moreover, when other Dalits came forward to help the groom, they were also beaten, and the culprits even molested some Dalit women. Further, they cut the power supply to Radha Krishna Marriage Hall, where the marriage was to take place. Yogesh Thakur, Rahul Kumar, Sonu Thakur, Kunal and Shishupal have been booked along with 20 unidentified men under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reported The Indian Express.
Related:
Dalit woman allegedly murdered by Hindu husband in Madurai
Anti-Dalit violence all pervasive even in April 2023, #DalitHistory month