Dalit families on way to Hisar from Mirchpur on Tuesday. Photo Courtesy: BL Basniwal, The Tribune
Jats could not bear the thought of a Dalit beating them in a race, it is reported
Almost seven years after scores of Dalit families fled Mirchpur following a brutal attack on a physically challenged Dalit girl and her father who were burned alive (see video below), instigated by the aggressive Jats , a similar exodus appeared to have begun after fresh violence between the two communities last night. Around 40 families left the village late on January 31 despite assurances by the district authorities of “foolproof security”. Around 100 villagers had reached Hisar town in two buses by the evening. As in 2010, yesterday’s violence too was the fallout of a petty issue, which snowballed into a major clash that left four Dalit youths injured.
The Tribune reports that one Tej Bhan alleged that Shiv Kumar, a Dalit youth, had two days ago won a 1,600 metres race event, which saw participation from all castes. “Probably those beaten in the race could not digest a Dalit edging past them… a scuffle began when a group of Jat youths hurled casteist slurs at Shiv at a cyccling event last night,” he said.
When Shiv objected, he was attacked by around 40 persons, alleged Bhan. Ajmer Kumar, a Dalit, said they would return to the village only after the government fulfilled their demands.
Close to seven years ago, in April 2010, two Dalits were charred to death following a fight between the two communities over the barking of a dog. A fragile truce was restored by CRPF, which was withdrawn two months ago.There are n reasons given by the authorities as to why this security cover was withdrawn suddenly. The fresh violence has raised questions over the move to withdraw the security force. While the deputy commissioner Nikhil Gajraj denied it was a caste clash, saying among those arrested, one each was from Brahmin and Lohar castes while the other two were Jats, the sarpanch Satyawan too claimed it was a clash between youngsters and was “unnecessarily being given a caste colour”. Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajender Kumar Meena said additional forces had been rushed to the village, and that the situation was under control. Meanwhile, following state minister Krishan Bedi’s assurance, Dalits agreed to return to their village. Bedi assured them that the state government would consider their rehabilitation demand after the assembly poll in five states.
Rewind to 2010
Police a mute spectator during Mirchpur violence: Commission
PTI had reported in September 2015 that the Commission of Inquiry which probed the Mirchpur violence in Haryanas Hisar district in which a dalit physically challenged girl and her father were burnt alive inside their house, has blamed the cops for acting as "mute spectator" and "failing" to act on time to prevent the horrific incident. The one-man Justice Iqbal Singh Commission which was set up by the Haryana government to probe the circumstance leading to the incident resulting in the death of two persons and also the circumstances leading to arson, fire and rioting, has blamed the cops for acting as "mute spectator" and "failing" to act on time to prevent the horrific incident. On April 21, 2010, 70-year-old Tara Chand and his physically challenged daughter Suman (16) got burnt alive in their house while several other people were injured when a mob went on rampage torching several houses. Fifty two persons were injured in the incident, in which 18 houses were also damaged by the mob. The Commission in its report noted that the "duty magistrate and the police failed to prevent the (Mirchpur violence) incident.."
The report, submitted to the State government nearly a year back, but tabled in the ongoing session of the Haryana Assembly here on Friday, has noted that tension had build up between Dalits and the members of the pre-dominant Jat community after the altercation between them, but the police "failed" to understand the gravity of the situation in the village and take appropriate action. A spat between some youths of village Mirchpur belonging to the Jat community with a Dalit family over a trivial matter erupted into a major row later. The inquiry report was based on spot visits and the statements of many people, including the victims, witnesses and the local villagers.
The incident was reported in media and was also raised in Parliament. Committee on the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes visited the village after the incident. "Police did not act properly rather acted very casually and allowed the situation to go out of control," the report tabled in the Assembly, said. "The Police personnel who were requisitioned some of whom were armed with self loading rifles ran away from the spot which further gave an opportunity to the mob to burn the houses. Had the Police officials of the Police station Narnaud (Hisar district) deployed adequate force and took preventive action this unfortunate incident could have been prevented. "It failed to understand the gravity of the situation and took it lightly in the initial stage and further failed to take appropriate action which resulted into incident on April 21, 2010," the report said.
Watch this Video of the 2010 Assault
Uploaded on May 13, 2010
handicapped dalit burnt in mirchpur haryana. mother shouts political slogans
exploitation is everywhere. even as kamla, the illiterate mother of handicapped suman who was burnt to death along with her father at mirchpur village by upper caste villagers clashing with lower caste villagers talks about her loss in the emotionless manner in which the deprived talk, she is prompted by politically active villagers to take pot shots at the Haryana Chief Minister who is from the Co