In Uttar Pradesh, a shocking incident in Bulandshahr saw eight teachers booked for brutally beating a Dalit Class 12 student over his haircut, while in Mainpuri, a Class 11 Dalit student was allegedly assaulted by a teacher for touching a water bottle, facing casteist slurs and physical harm. The state also witnessed the custodial death of a Dalit youth in Azamgarh, with his family alleging torture, and a Kasganj case where eight individuals were booked for the alleged murder of a Dalit girl following tensions related to her sister’s inter-caste relationship. Furthermore, in Basti, an SDM faces accusations of using casteist slurs and physically assaulting a Dalit woman seeking redress for a land dispute.

Tamil Nadu has also reported harrowing instances, including a Class 6 Dalit student brutally assaulted by a PT teacher, leaving him critically injured. In Thoothukudi, a 17-year-old Dalit student had his fingers chopped off in a caste-based attack while on his way to an exam, prompting NHRC intervention. A particularly shameful case in Coimbatore saw a Class 8 Dalit girl forced to sit outside during exams due to menstruation, leading to the principal’s suspension and a police complaint.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed blatant caste discrimination in Jabalpur, where Dalits were prevented from performing funeral rites on traditionally used land, and in Sehore, a Dalit family was violently stopped from building their house and subjected to a social and economic boycott.

In Bihar, an 80-year-old Dalit woman was reportedly gang-raped and brutally beaten in Gopalganj. Rajasthan, too, reported a deeply concerning incident where a police constable in Jaipur was arrested for allegedly raping a pregnant Dalit woman under the pretext of recording her statement. Additionally, Kota mourned the alleged suicide of a Dalit medical student who, according to fellow students, was deliberately failed and barred from exams.

These interconnected incidents across multiple states underscore the urgent need for stringent measures to combat caste-based discrimination and violence, ensure justice for victims, and safeguard the rights and dignity of Dalit individuals, especially students.

Uttar Pradesh

Dalit student beaten with sticks over haircut in Bulandshahr

In a shocking incident out of Bulandshahr, UP, eight teachers at a prominent school have been booked for allegedly assaulting a Class 12 Dalit student over his haircut, leaving the 17-year-old with severe injuries including head wounds requiring stitches and fractures in both hands.

The assault, involving sticks and casteist slurs, reportedly occurred on January 25, prompting the school to immediately suspend the accused teachers, who belong to another caste. The matter gained public attention on Friday after the victim’s parents, who initially made an “initial compromise under pressure,” were compelled to file a First Information Report (FIR) due to “repeated threats by the accused,” who allegedly even tried to prevent their son from taking his ongoing UP board exams that commenced in late February, reported the Times of India.

As per report, Circle officer Shobit Kumar stated that an FIR was registered on March 5th under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST Act against Sonu Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Deepak Kumar, Manoj Kumar (I), Manoj Kumar (II), Yogesh Kumar, Yogendra, and Prashant, assuring that “investigation is on and action will be taken accordingly” and that the student is “in stable condition and appearing in his exams.”

Those teachers were suspended and we’ll co-operate with the police in their investigation.” Recounting her son’s ordeal, the student’s mother, Maya Rani, explained that the teachers objected to his haircut in January, and “the next day (Jan 25) he was mercilessly beaten with sticks in school,” leaving him bedridden with trauma and injuries for over a month, hindering his exam preparations. She further alleged that they were initially pressured into a compromise, but “the accused teachers continued to threaten us and intimidate my son during his exams,” leaving them with no choice but to approach the police, demanding their arrest.

Class 12’s Dalit student brutally beaten by upper caste teacher for touching water bottle

In yet another harrowing instance of caste-based violence in Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit Class 11 student in Mainpuri was brutally assaulted by his teacher for merely touching a water bottle in the classroom.

The incident took place on March 29 at Narendra Pratap Singh Higher Secondary School in Haripur Catholic village. The 15-year-old, from Katheria village, was subjected to casteist abuse by biology teacher Mangal Singh Shakya, who locked him in a room and beat him so severely that two of his fingers were fractured. The teacher reportedly said, “How dare you touch the bottle? It’s untouchable now.”

#Casteism A Dalit youth of class 12th was brutally beaten by a caste Hindu teacher for touching a water bottle, his hand was broken, the incident is from Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.#DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/PgtwwG7Z7A

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) April 3, 2025

The boy suffered injuries to his thigh, shoulder, and jaw. After being taken to the hospital by his family, the police allegedly refused to file a report, prompting them to approach the Superintendent of Police.

Dalit youth died in Azamgarh Police custody, family alleges torture

The custodial death of 20-year-old Dalit youth Sunny Kumar at the Tarwa police station in Azamgarh on Sunday night has ignited fierce protests from his family and local community. Demonstrations intensified on Monday, marked by the vandalism of a police vehicle and road blockades outside the station, prompting a significant police deployment to restore order.

Kumar, son of Harikant, was detained on Sunday following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a minor girl, alleging obscene gestures and vulgar songs played on his phone on March 28th. Tragically, late Sunday night, a police guard reportedly discovered Kumar’s body hanging by his pyjama drawstring in the police station bathroom. Despite Senior Superintendent of Police Hemraj Meena’s initial suggestion of suicide based on preliminary findings, Kumar’s family and local political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, vehemently allege custodial torture and murder, as reported the Observer Post.

Dalit Youth Dies in Azamgarh Police Custody; Family Alleges Torture, Protests Erupt

Read:https://t.co/2KWqDe5G8u

— The Observer Post (@TheObserverPost) April 1, 2025

In response to the grave accusations, several police officers, including the station house officer, a sub-inspector, and a constable, have been suspended. District Magistrate Navneet Singh Chahal has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Kumar’s death. The post-mortem examination, conducted under tight security, reportedly showed no external injuries on Kumar’s body. However, authorities have stated that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted, exploring all possible aspects of the case.

Castiest abuse by UP official, victim Dalit woman approached Women’s Commission

In Basti, Uttar Pradesh, SDM Ashutosh Tiwari faces severe accusations of caste-based discrimination and misconduct against a Dalit woman who approached him for a land dispute resolution on March 6, 2025. The woman alleges that Tiwari used casteist slurs, calling her “lower caste” and “ill-mannered,” physically pushed her out of his office, and threatened to seize her land if she didn’t withdraw her complaint.

Despite reporting the incident to district authorities, she claims no action has been taken and that she faces continued harassment from tehsil employees pressuring her to retract her allegations. The victim has now appealed to the State Women’s Commission, demanding Tiwari’s immediate removal and the registration of a case against him, also seeking protection.

A member of the Commission has assured justice for the victim and strict punishment for the accused, confirming an ongoing investigation into the matter, reported the Mooknayak.

8 booked for murder of Dalit girl and kidnap of her elder sister in Kasganj

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj district, eight people have been booked for allegedly murdering a 14-year-old Dalit girl and staging it as suicide, following tensions over her sister’s relationship with an 18-year-old from another community.

#Horrific They came to kidnap a 14-year-old Dalit girl, when her younger sister resisted, they brutally murdered her, the accused Yadav is from the Hindu community, the elder girl is still missing, the incident is from Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh… pic.twitter.com/OuOyF9Njft

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) March 2, 2025

The elder sister, was reported kidnapped but later recovered by police. No arrests have been made yet. Kasganj ASP Rajesh Kumar Bhartiya said that, “We will get her medical examination conducted and record her statement before a magistrate. The girl might provide crucial details about what happened on Saturday afternoon,” said Kasganj ASP Rajesh Kumar Bhartiya” reported the Indian Express.

However, people from another caste were detained by local police on March 2, an FIR was registered under section 103(2) murder and 140 (1) (kidnapping with murderous intent) of the BNS along with the SC/ST Act against the villagers following a complaint by the victim’s father, as reported the Times of India.

As per report, victim’s father also alleged that influential people from the village took my elder daughter away and killed and hanged my younger one when she tried to save her sister.

Tamil Nadu

Class 6 Dalit student was brutally assaulted by PT teacher

In another incident at V. Akram Government High School in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district, a Class 6 Dalit student was brutally assaulted by a Physical Education (PT) teacher, reportedly causing severe head injuries that required surgery. The child, whose condition remains critical, also sustained stomach wounds requiring multiple stitches. The attack sparked widespread outrage after a photo of the boy’s post-surgery injuries went viral. Although the teacher is also from a Scheduled Caste, the brutality has drawn sharp criticism across the state.

#Horrific A Dalit student of class 6 of a government school was brutally beaten by a caste Hindu PT teacher, the condition of the boy is critical, this painful incident is from Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.#DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/5ntcpHkR2O

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) March 29, 2025

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the assault and demanded swift action, calling out the inaction of authorities. Activist Shalin Maria Lawrence also criticised the DMK-led government for its failure to protect Dalit students in educational institutions. Despite growing public pressure, there has been no official response or action taken by the School Education Department or the police at the time of reporting.

Fingers of 17-year-old Dalit students chopped, NHRC takes suo moto action

In a horrifying incident rooted in caste-based violence, 17-year-old Dalit student Devendran Raj from Ariyanayagapuram village in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district was brutally attacked while on his way to appear for a Class 11 exam. Three upper-caste youths from a neighbouring village reportedly stopped his bus near Kattarimangalam, dragged him out, and assaulted him with a sickle, severing four fingers on his left hand—one of which is still missing. His father, Thanga Ganesh, a daily-wage labourer, was also severely injured while trying to protect his son.

The assault was allegedly driven by caste hatred and revenge, following a kabaddi match where Devendran’s team defeated a team from the attackers’ village. The brutal act has triggered widespread anger and calls for justice across the state. Doctors at Tirunelveli Government Medical College conducted a seven-hour surgery to reattach the severed fingers. Devendran’s condition remains critical. Activists including Shalin Maria Lawrence and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan have demanded justice, immediate compensation, and better medical care.

A #Dalit student was attacked by a gang of unknown persons, and his fingers chopped, in #TamilNadu’s #Tirunelveli district while he was on his way to write an exam.

Devendran Raj, a Class 11 student and son of a day-wager Thanga Ganesh, was travelling from his residence to his… pic.twitter.com/q6lzTXPLvJ

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) March 11, 2025

NHRC takes suo moto cognizance

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance, terming the assault a grave human rights violation. Notices have been issued to the Tamil Nadu DGP and Thoothukudi District Collector. Police have arrested one accused, Lakshmanan, and detained two others. The case is being investigated under the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, reported Maktoob Media.

Class 8 Dalit girl student made to sit outside classroom during exams after menstruation

A deeply disturbing incident of alleged caste- and gender-based discrimination has come to light from Senguttaipalayam village in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district. A minor Dalit student from the Arunthathiyar community, studying in Class 8, was reportedly forced to take her annual examinations outside the classroom simply because she had started menstruating. This discriminatory act was witnessed and recorded by the girl’s mother, whose video has since sparked widespread public outrage on social media, with calls for accountability echoing across platforms.

In pursuit of justice, the mother has formally appealed to the education authorities. The incident has also prompted local villagers to rally together and raise the issue with the Pollachi sub-collector. The minor was enrolled in Class 7 at the Swamy Chidbhavanda Matric Higher Secondary School in Senguttaipalayam village, located in Kinathukadavu Taluk.

According to the Hindu, Assistant Superintendent of Police Shristi Singh, who conducted a preliminary inquiry on Thursday, told reporters that “The mother of the student called the class teacher on the evening of April 6 around 5:30 p.m. and requested a special seating arrangement. The class teacher reportedly asked the mother to speak to the principal.”

She further added that “On April 7, Monday, while dropping off her daughter, the mother met the principal and asked that a separate arrangement be made to prevent infections. After she left, the student was made to sit outside the classroom to write the exam. That evening, she returned home and complained of leg pain from sitting on the floor. She did not attend the revision class the next day, and returned on Wednesday to write another exam. One of the relatives noticed her sitting outside, through the compound wall, and informed the parents. The mother rushed to the school and recorded a video of the incident” as reported

Principle suspended; girl’s father lodged complaint

Amidst the escalating outcry, the school correspondent has invoked Section 17 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, issuing a suspension order to the school principal, citing the prohibition of physical or mental harassment of children. Adding to the legal pressure, the girl’s father lodged a formal complaint with the Negamam police on April 10.

Consequently, a case has been registered against the school’s Principal M. Anandhi, office assistant Shanthi, and Correspondent Thangavelpandian. They have been charged under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(za)(D) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, acknowledging the girl’s Scheduled Caste status. Furthermore, the parents’ petition alleges that the accused also directed caste-based insults towards the girl’s mother when she confronted them about the discriminatory treatment, reported the Hindu

Madhya Pradesh

Dalits stopped from performing funeral rites in Jabalpur

In Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district, members of the Dalit community were prevented from performing the last rites of a deceased elder due to caste-based discrimination. The incident took place in Chapod village, Pauri Panchayat, about 37 km from Jabalpur. When the Ahirwar community attempted to cremate 70-year-old Shivprasad Ahirwar on government land traditionally used for funerals, upper-caste locals objected, claiming the land as their own and citing standing crops. The family was forced to call the police, who intervened and arranged for the funeral to be held elsewhere.

The land in question, a government plot, has been used for cremations for generations. However, in recent years, members of the Patel family had allegedly encroached upon it for farming. Following public outrage and pressure from Scheduled Caste organisations, the District Collector ordered the removal of the encroachment and the construction of a permanent cremation ground.

Dalit rights groups have condemned the incident as not just a land dispute, but a blatant violation of constitutional rights. Former SC Commission member Pradeep Ahirwar called it a reflection of deep-rooted casteism and demanded strong legal action and justice for the affected family, as reported the Mooknayak.

Dalit family in Sehore attacked and boycotted for building a house

A Dalit family in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh, was violently prevented from constructing their house by members of the dominant caste. As the family began building their home, upper-caste individuals not only stopped the construction but also subjected them to physical assault and casteist slurs.

मकान बना रहे दलित परिवार को जातिवादियों ने मकान बनाने से रोका, बंद किया हुक्का पानी, जातिसूचक गालियाँ देकर की मारपीट, दुकानदारों से कहा, “अगर दलितों को कुछ भी दिया तो देना पड़ेगा एक लाख का जुर्माना” घटना मध्य प्रदेश के सिहोर की है… #MadhyaPradesh | #Dalitnews | @MPPoliceDeptt pic.twitter.com/lkATR2rfRT

— Dalit Times | दलित टाइम्स (@DalitTime) March 4, 2025

Moreover, the attackers enforced a complete social and economic boycott — cutting off access to water and other basic services (referred to as “hukka pan band“). They also warned local shopkeepers and vendors not to sell anything to the Dalit family, threatening a fine of ₹1 lakh for non-compliance.

Bihar

An 80-year-old Dalit woman was gang-raped and brutally beaten up in Gopalganj

In a horrifying incident in Gopalganj, Bihar, an 80-year-old Dalit woman was reportedly subjected to a brutal gang rape and severe beating. The alleged perpetrators are stated to be individuals from the Muslim community.

#Horrific An 80-year-old Dalit woman was gang-raped and brutally beaten up in Bihar’s Gopalganj. All the accused are from the Muslim community.#DalitLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/tY5lCDwXbR

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) March 18, 2025

This deeply disturbing act of violence has likely sent shockwaves through the region, highlighting the vulnerability of marginalised communities to such heinous crimes and raising serious concerns about law and order

Rajasthan

Constable arrested for raping Dalit woman in Jaipur

A Rajasthan police constable stationed at Sanganer police station was apprehended on Sunday following a chilling allegation of rape. According to officials, Constable Bhagaram lured a pregnant Dalit woman away from her home on the pretext of recording her statement concerning a previous complaint she had filed. While her husband was at work, Bhagaram allegedly took the woman and her three-year-old child to a hotel room.

There, under the guise of needing to change clothes, he took her to a private room and reportedly committed the heinous act of rape, even threatening her with her husband’s imprisonment and warning her against reporting the crime when she resisted.

The victim’s husband filed a First Information Report (FIR) on Saturday night, detailing the horrific ordeal his wife endured in front of their young son. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vinod Kumar Sharma confirmed the arrest and stated that a medical examination of the woman has been conducted. This appalling incident has triggered significant political condemnation, with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot decrying the state of law and order under the current BJP government, especially as it occurred in the Chief Minister’s constituency around Women’s Day. Gehlot has demanded the constable’s dismissal and strict, exemplary punishment, reported the Observer Post.

Dalit medical student allegedly suicide as deliberately barred from exams

Rajasthan’s Kota is reeling after the alleged suicide of Dalit medical student Sunil Bairwa at a local medical college. Fellow students protesting for justice have asserted that Sunil was deliberately failed and barred from exams, pushing him into severe depression. This tragic claim has ignited outrage, leading to a demonstration where students surrounded Principal Dr. Sangeeta Saxena, demanding accountability.

Disturbing videos of the protest have rapidly circulated on social media, amplifying the calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sunil’s death and the allegations of discriminatory treatment that may have contributed to his despair.

राजस्थान : कोटा के मेडिकल कॉलेज में दलित स्टूडेंट सुनील बैरवा ने कि आत्महत्या, सुनील के लिए इंसाफ मांग रहे अन्य छात्रों ने बताया, “सुनील को जबरन फेल किया गया, एग्जाम में बैठने नहीं दिया जा रहा था..जिसको लेकर वो डिप्रेशन में था..” छात्रों ने प्रिंसिपल डॉ. संगीता सक्सेना का घेराव… pic.twitter.com/Faw4J0fwkW

— Dalit Times | दलित टाइम्स (@DalitTime) March 7, 2025

The incident has cast a shadow over the medical college and sparked concerns about the support systems available to students, particularly those from marginalised communities.

Related:

The alarming rise of anti-Dalit violence and discrimination in India: A series of gruesome incidents since July 2024

CJP Maharashtra: Surge in communal and caste-based violence with six incidents in January 2025

Caste-Based violence shakes Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in alarming incidents

The post Statewide Attacks: A chilling chronicle of caste-based attacks across the country appeared first on SabrangIndia.

1. IISER Pune: Academic freedom throttled; Ambedkar lecture series cancelled

At the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, a carefully curated student-led event titled Muktiparv, organised to honour Ambedkar and host conversations around caste, resistance, and equality, was abruptly cancelled by the administration. The lectures were to feature prominent anti-caste voices including Deepali Salve, Nazima Parveen, and Smita M. Patil — all respected scholars and public intellectuals. Students had spent months preparing the event, which was to be a space for reflection on Ambedkar’s radical legacy.

However, within hours of a complaint by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a right-wing student group that labelled the speakers as “extreme left,” the administration called off the event. A police complaint lodged by ABVP further pressured the institution. The IISER administration cited vague “concerns” as the reason for cancellation but failed to specify what the concerns were, or who raised them. In response, the Student Council and several campus groups condemned the move as “sudden and unjustified”, accusing the institute of buckling under political pressure.

Students connected this silencing to a broader institutional pattern — pointing to persistent underrepresentation of SC/ST faculty and systemic barriers faced by marginalised students in elite educational spaces. “This is not about one event,” a student said while speaking to The Observer Post. “It is about the gatekeeping of ideas. Who gets to speak, and who gets silenced?” The cancellation of Muktiparv is emblematic of how even academic spaces are shrinking for Ambedkarite thought and Dalit assertion.

2. Mhow, Madhya Pradesh: Dalit groom barred from temple, allowed entry only under police watch

In Sanghvi village near Mhow — the very town where Ambedkar was born — caste discrimination reared its head again. On his wedding day, a Dalit groom from the Balai community was denied entry into a Lord Ram temple by dominant caste villagers. His wedding procession had arrived with the intention of offering prayers, a common practice. However, they were stopped outside the temple, and only after two hours of argument and police intervention was the groom permitted to enter — that too under close police watch and in the presence of a few family members.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage shared on social media show the groom and his guests arguing with dominant caste locals, who resisted their presence in the temple. The police attempted to downplay the incident, claiming the dispute was merely over access to the sanctum sanctorum, which “as per tradition” is restricted to priests. But Dalit groups and community leaders were unconvinced.

Manoj Parmar, president of the All India Balai Mahasangh, denounced the incident, stating that it reflected the continued “frustrated mentality” of those clinging to caste-based exclusion. “Even today, our community is treated like outsiders in our own country,” he said, speaking to The New Indian Express. This incident — on Ambedkar Jayanti no less — laid bare how caste continues to dictate access to public and religious spaces, even in the birthplace of India’s greatest anti-caste thinker.

3. Udaipur, Rajasthan: Police stop Dalit groups from hoisting Ambedkar flag at iconic circle

In Udaipur, another symbolic assertion of Dalit pride was curtailed — this time by the police. At Ambedkar Circle in the heart of the city, activists from the Bhim Army and other Dalit organisations gathered to hoist a blue flag bearing Ambedkar’s image and the Ashoka Chakra. This flag, a potent symbol of resistance and Ambedkarite identity, was to be installed near the life-sized statue of Dr. Ambedkar — a tradition on his birth anniversary.

However, police led by Bhupalpura SHO Adarsh Parihar intervened, stopped the crane that was arranged to hoist the flag, and allegedly misbehaved with the crane driver. As per The Observer Post, despite the activists’ assurance that the flag would be respectfully removed after the day’s celebrations, the SHO insisted on written permission from the Additional District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police — permissions that were reportedly denied.

Shankar Chandel, leader of the Congress SC Cell, condemned the police action as discriminatory and politically motivated. “Why are other communities allowed to put up flags freely — for Hanuman Jayanti, Parshuram Jayanti, or Vivekananda Jayanti — but Dalit groups are blocked?” he asked, as reported by The Observer Post. The flag bore no religious symbols and was not permanent. Activists claimed this was not about procedure, but about prejudice. They announced plans to submit a memorandum to the Udaipur SP and Collector to protest what they called casteist and biased treatment. 

Remembering Ambedkar is still a struggle for the marginalised

These three incidents, all unfolding on Ambedkar Jayanti, reflect a dangerous contradiction. While state institutions and political leaders publicly celebrate Ambedkar with flowers and speeches, the substance of his message — of annihilating caste, asserting dignity, and challenging social hierarchies — continues to be resisted on the ground. Educational institutions silence Ambedkarite discourse, social spaces still police Dalit bodies, and state machinery selectively applies the law to block public assertion by marginalised communities.

Ambedkar once said, “Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind.” These events show that the caste mindset is alive and well — not just in remote villages, but in our most prestigious institutions and modern cities. To truly honour Ambedkar, India must move beyond symbolic gestures and confront the structures and prejudices that still seek to silence the very people he fought for.

Related:

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The post Caste Shadow on Ambedkar Jayanti: From campus censorship to temple exclusion appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Another businessman friend of Sunil claims that Vanjari women are pure vegetarians. So, one should not see Vanjaris as a criminal tribe. He also adds, “Suppose there comes a flood, then all the garbage gets washed away in it and the area gets clean. We are anticipating that it will be the same after this political power war gets over. One can imagine the destructive social impact of this whole eco-political power game has created by the fact that four ‘soyrik meetings’ in my Vanjari community (meetings in which marriages of young couples get fixed) were discarded as some of the people in such meetings had differences in their opinions. One can definitely say that the political happenings keep impacting the ‘Roti-Beti Vyavhar’ (family relations) deeply.

Shantabai Rathod is a social worker in Parli. She has fought many civic fights there. In our short meeting, she underlines the fact that there are hardly any women in active politics in a taluka place like Parli. Anyone can have a look at ZP and Panchayat Samiti politics and sense the lack of presence of women there. Our men don’t want any space to be created for women. And now, these dirty eco-political power games make politics as well as town-space more unsafe for women. Beed is a district where liquor visibly flows everywhere in criminal and political scenes.

There is a plant of Awada wind energy firm near Massajog. CRPF have been assigned to guard that firm. One of the CRPF officials said, “We are here on duty to maintain law and order. We don’t know what had happened earlier.” While traveling from Beed to Parli, I could see several large huge trucks up and down on the roads with enormous fins tied to their back.

Jyotiram Kande is an NRI working in an IT field in Canada. He was born and brought up in Parli. While sharing his thoughts on a phone call, he expresses deep sorrow about the changing environment of his beloved city. Jyotiram was born and brought up in Parli. While recalling his childhood days, he says, “I still remember my teenage and childhood days. Those days seem like a fairytale when I roam the streets of Parli nowadays. We, as teenagers, were into different things those days. Today’s teens have already started glorifying goons as ‘social workers’. I am just not able to imagine why common citizens are not aware of their rights when it comes to the basic needs like electricity, water, transport and health. Many of my friends are not able to think logically today. They just get driven into personal-political emotions. I can’t hold any constructive conversation with my own friends in such a situation. Even my well-educated, government officer friends are not an exception. Due to all these things, I have started to feel kind of helpless.”

Jyotiram also shared his observations about the young teenage boys who are being used as goons by various political leaders. He says, “Common people have always looked at political leaders as some God-like figures. None of these politicised youth are into serious academics. Their leaders are of the same ilk and have become career icons. These youth get addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, and gutka-mava very easily. Sexual frustration also plays a crucial role in their behaviour. Everyone wants a girlfriend but no one gets one. I am just not able to imagine the speed of transition as I look at the changed scenario to compare it with my childhood days. Everyone has a perception that some other person is going to grab his or her educational seat, job, opportunity, monetary gains etc. I don’t find any institution or government body sufficiently aligned, systematic or transparent so that this could solve the issues of the common man. In such a situation, political goons that are so called social workers easily fill this space. Within no time, they just come forward to be a bridge between this purposely failed system and common man. And within no time the godly image of such political goons assume a larger than life aura. One needs a truly good governance to circumvent this scenario. The enormous energy of youth should also be channelised pro-actively to avoid destructive consequences. At village level, Gram Panchayats and social organisations should start gyms and libraries for the young generation.”

One of the random vegetable sellers in Parli was also anxious about the changing surroundings. He said, “We can feel that there the casteism in the air. Though everyone is not experiencing it directly, it’s there. In many conversations. We need to think twice about the ‘caste location’ of the listener. It was not like that before. I needed to check the caste location of everyone online and offline. Because most of the time, people keep talking from their caste location and not from their conscious location.

Meanwhile, one of my friends in Parli anonymously told me his experience when he went to a Biryani eatery with one of his friends. “I was sitting at one of the popular Biryani joints in the outskirts of Parli. It was crowded as always. All the tables were full. Both of us were eating at a table where one chair was vacant. One young guy came up and sat on that chair. His friends grabbed other vacant chairs at different tables. That guy at our table was fully drunk. He was in the mood to have a conversation with us. So, he asked my name at first. As I responded, his second question was, what’s your caste? I just ignored his question with a smile. Then he got angry and started boasting about his money and muscle power. My friend and I were listening to his babbling with a cool mind. At the end of his conversation, he told us that he possessed a gun until the week before but now he has surrendered it. Me and my friend finished eating and went to wash our hands. That guy came to us again. I kept my hand on his shoulder with a friendly gesture and told him that I am Mali (one of the OBC castes). He suddenly smiled at me and said, ‘Jai OBC bhava!’ Caste has penetrated this deeply in everyone’s veins, much like hard liquor.”

Keshav Waghmare is an author and a senior activist from the Ambedkarite Movement who hails from Beed. He has a separate vision about this whole state-wide issue of Beed which has been the talk of the town for the past two months. Keshav says, “To understand the scenario in its entirety, one needs to understand the construction of the political economy of Beed at first. The Vanjari community has got geared up politically and socially when the politics of Gopinathrao Munde was dominant. Until then, the political power was in the hands of the Maratha community. This shift in power politics gave birth to a constant tussle and cold war. In Beed, the major economy is based on sugarcane cutting. The mukadams (contractors) of sugarcane workers are mostly Vanjaris. Most of the time, these contractors behave unfairly with men and women in his toli (sugar-cutting team). Once upon a time, these mukadams were the karyakartas (workers) of Gopinathrao Munde. When it comes to land, most of the land business is in the hands of Vanjaris.

I recall one incident that refuses to fade in memory. There was the weekly aathawdi bazaar (weekly market gathering) at a village called Wadwani. There appeared a mukadam with one of his labourers. Both belonged to the same caste, Vanjari. There started a heated argument between two of them over some monetary issues. The mukadam started beating that labourer with his shoes. Coincidentally, there was a programme of Gopinathrao Munde planned on that day. Munde’s helicopter suddenly started making rounds in the air. The worker stopped crying and started waving his hands in the air with joy, shouting, “O mukadam, bagha aaplya bhaucha helicopter…” (Hey, mukadam, see, there comes the helicopter of our beloved bhau!”) Isn’t this very symbolic?” These mukadams are kind of powerful goons in small villages of Marathwada. They have got political support. The roots of the constantly erupting violence in Beed could be found in this nexus.

It was an interesting encounter with a politically vocal truck driver. He showed me his facebook account where he keeps expressing his views deliberately. He said, “We keep experiencing virtual casteism as people keep fighting with each other on social media. The leaders should keep the politics limited to elections. They are not expected to encash caste as a cash cards from the common people. In old times, it was different. Leaders used to think beyond casts. In this particular case, political Maratha leaders like Suresh Dhas have glorified false and imaginary things which were not even mentioned in the post-mortem (PM) report of Sarpanch Deshmukh. In the winter session speech, he said, the eyes of Deshmukh were burnt with a lighter. He also said some goons in the mob might have peed in Deshmukh’s mouth when he was pleading for water before dying. These false narratives percolated have percolated among the mob like a wildfire. Who is accountable for the caste-based hate being spread in Maharashtra? Now the Zilla Parishad elections are imminent. No doubt the politicians will try and encash this caste based fragmentation. Despite the fact that there is a serious agrarian crisis here, none of our ‘leaders’ seems to pay heed to it.”

All of the accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case can be seen observing a particular lifestyle. They come from a lower or lower middle class family but possess vehicles like Scorpio with VIP numbers like 3333, 7777, 1010. They have a particular aesthetic with a lot of swag. They wear white linen or khadi clothes with very fragile egos on their sleeves. They like to flaunt gold ornaments. Addictions like Gutka, Maava, Pudi (tobacco) are very common, especially in Marathwada. From a very young age, distracted from academics, they start following some local or state level leader. The local level contractor-ship and extortion activities for the leaders are their main income source. Obviously most of them have a criminal background. On social media, especially on Facebook and Instagram, one can find thousands of accounts run by such Bhau, Dada or Anna. On Instagram they have thousands of followers. They keep making reels about their leader. For example, when Valmik Karad surrendered to CID, Vanjari Insta Reelstars made reels for him with these songs playing in background, “Bhetal java me gunhyaat, mala atak kara ho Punyaat” (As you will find me involved in some crime, just arrest me in Pune”). This song was originally written by Ajay Gaikwad for a Bailgada Sharyat Premi (Bullock cart racing lover Person) Pandhari Sheth Fadake. Sometimes they make romantic reels as well. In the time of political crisis, they start a virtual war supporting their leader. They keep trolling opposition leaders though statuses and reels.

This is the season of sugarcane cutting. The sugarcane workers keep migrating to West Maharashtra from Marathwada. I stopped at a temporary basti of some sugarcane workers on the Beed-Nagar road. The workers live in ‘Khopis’. These khopis are made out of dry shoots of sugarcane. The group of workers belonged to the SC Category (Scheduled Caste). They are the followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. While discussing the continuous outrages in Marathwada, these workers put their views bluntly. Neeta (Name has been changed to ensure anonymity)   says, “See, we are Ambedkarites. We have got the reservation as per the Indian Constitution. For a long time, In Maharashtra, upper castes like Maratha have looked at us as rivals. We deserve reservation. Maratha is a caste in Maharashtra which has been in political power continuously. If this is the reality, then who is to be blamed for this downfall of Marathas? Maratha leaders should be criticised for this and no other reservation-benefited castes.

Ram (Name has been changed to ensure anonymity) invited me for tea in his Khopi. He and his wife Seema have kept their one son back at their village. He studies in standard 10th. They have brought their elder son with them who will take his 12th exam in a few months. Seema has also brought her younger daughter with her. While making the tea on an earthen chulha (stove), Seema says, “Aamchya kashtachi sakhar aahe bagha he, bagha kasa lagatoy chaha…” (This sugar is made out of our own labour, see how the tea is flavoured” while adding sugar in the tea. Seema is concerned about the education of her children.

Ram says, “We are SC by caste, but as a sugarcane worker, we all worship our Lokneta (Leader of masses) Gopinath Munde (Former Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj), who did revolutionary work for the sugarcane mazdoors (labourers) of all the castes and tribes. He is like a god for us despite his caste. But nowadays the environment of Maharashtra has got so toxic that most of the people are judging each other on the basis of caste. This is not going to lead us anywhere. As a state, we have got bigger problems to solve. As a sugarcane worker, I need to break this vicious cycle of migration and poverty within my family. I don’t want my next generation to do all this harsh labour.” I bid farewell to the khopi-residents as they needed to start the next day at 3 am and start for the sugarcane fields.

Fidel Chavan, CPI leader, is a lawyer at Beed district court. Fidel has an experience of making interventions in some of the path-breaking court cases. There is a windmill repairing centre at Massajog. The fins of the windmills are around 70 to 175 meters long. One needs to construct a runway to take these fins through the farming fields. The lands of the farmers have been taken on lease for this purpose.

One of the young leaders accused of extortion, I am told, is Sandeep Tandale. Tandale hails from a poor family but owns a Scorpio car. He leads a team of 10-12 small goons and pays each one 17-20 thousand rupees. And there are so many of such political goons all over the Beed District. Most of the more powerful political leaders have tamed such goons for their benefits. Both the parties share a mutual political and monetary benefit. I need to think twice before I speak nowadays. It was not like this before.’

Mitali Deshmukh (Name has been changed to ensure anonymity) works at a technology firm in Pune. She is back home in Beed for a few days, her native place. She expresses herself in a nervous voice, “Beed people are the best when it comes to maintaining friendships. But these days, we are getting trolled on the basis of which native place we belong to. Several WhatsApp group admins have limited their group settings for one way messaging only, ‘admins only’. All this is new for an educated, conscious social girl like me. I am upset to see this new, unwanted wave of division flowing through my beloved city. I have never discussed such dark things with my family ever. These are some exceptional, hard days. I hope they will pass soon”

Prakash Chavan is a senior journalist from Parli. He shares his experience of reporting on the Ash power nexus, “It was the year 1971.  A thermal power plant was constructed in Parli. Earlier no one knew the value of the ash which was the residue of the plant. There are two types of ash derived in the thermal power making process. One is dry ash (fly ash) and the other is bottom ash. This bottom ash is used for making bricks. Hence, the bottom ash has got a big market value in itself. This has given birth to many ‘Ash Mafias’ in Parli Taluka and Beed district. Along with this, there are many Sand Mafias in the same area. At Daudpur, there was a dam where all the ash was being dumped for a long time. People planted trees there. Some awards were also conferred on that project. But as the value of the ash was underlined over a course of time, things changed drastically. Same kind of ash-lake was there at Daabi as well. These Mafias illegally dug out all the ash five years ago. These mafias have vast political support which is what has made them both powerful and brazen about their acts.

Maratha was a capitalist caste when it comes to land, money and power. But in the last 30 years, Marathas have got stuck in an agrarian crisis. Basically, the struggle and articulations should be class based and not caste based. But the people in power need the fight to remain caste based as they are going to benefit from it without delivering structural change. Here, population wise, the Maratha is the most prominent caste but the power is in the hands of Vanjari caste. In India, one can sense the caste based scenario, that is, most of the times, the majoritarian caste overpowers other castes. Here, in Parli, population wise, the Maratha is the most prominent caste but the power is in the hands of Vanjari caste. That is one of the causes of political and social tensions which keep erupting constantly. In Ashti-Patoda, the Maratha caste overpowers Vanjaris.

I feel like this is the fight between large big elephants. They just don’t care about other ant-like castes and communities. I keep wondering what will be the future of micro-minorities now and over time. Now the newly elected state government in Maharashtra has completed three months but no one is in any mood to discuss real life issues. This is basically a fight to gain and save reservation. Parli has got three collages. But most of the school and college students prefer to migrate to Latur for their studies. What is the future of this city?”

One of the Dhangar youth expresses his feelings while the hunger strike of Maratha Leader Manoj Jarange has started once again at Antarwali Sarati (Dist Jalna). “All this hate against us OBC’s has been sowed purposefully so that the ‘crop of Maratha reservation can be harvested.’ There are political egos behind the murders and tension created in Beed district. We shall all be paying a price if we paint this murder of Santosh Deshmukh in the colour of caste. We, as OBC’s, have found our own voice, our own pathways now. I, as an OBC youth, have started feeling that Marathas have just used us, under the blanket of the term ‘Bahujan’. But now, we are enlightened enough to fight our own fight as OBCs and not as Bahujans.”

On the way back from Beed, I realise, there is a strong strain of identity politics in this region. Adverse geographical conditions, agrarian crisis, scarcity of quality education, lack of employment and development make this politics darker. Most of the trucks or dumpers could be seen carrying a strong identity of some Caste or a political leader. ‘Chatrapati’ (Maratha) ‘Jai Bhagwan’ (Vanjari), ‘Apna Bhidu Bachhu Kadu’ (Political leader Bacchu Kadu), ‘Hoy Hinduch!’ (Yes, I am a Hindu), Jai Bheem (Ambedkarites) are some of the popular and visible slogans. Among these slogans, the enormous fins of windmills also keep crossing the paths. This region keeps shouting, Caste is not a thing to be apologetic about! It’s a thing to be flaunted, to be encashed! For the politics of the vote bank, as well as for the politics of survival. Caste could be personal, but let’s not forget, personal is political!

(With special thanks to Ashok Abuj, Sukeshini Naikwade, Dyaneshwar Mauli Munde, Amol Waghmare, Mahadev Shinde, Fidel Chavan, Comrade Namdevrao Chavan, Keshav Waghmare, Dinkar Choure, Baban Wadmare, Prakash Chavan)

Part 1 may be read here.

Special Thanks to Adv. Pankaj Chavan 

All photos credit – Yogesh Bhausaheb Dhakne

(This is Part 2 of the ground report. The author is an independent journalist and can be reached at sharmishtha.2011@gmail.com)  

Related:

Special Report: ‘They came like monkeys; they came like Nazis.’ Ambedkari Bastis in Parbhani face the traumas of police brutality

Gruesome murder of Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed triggers state-wide protests, political fallout in the ruling government, and rampant calls for justice

Massive all-party march in Parbhani demands justice for Dalit youth’s custodial death

The post Beed, Marathwada: A heady and dangerous mix of mafia-political nexus has tainted the social fabric appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The letter also noted that there should be no discrimination in allotment of any duty/work to prison inmates on the basis of their caste.

The amendment comes in light of the October 3, 2024, judgement of the Supreme Court regarding caste-based discrimination of prisoners. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by Sukanya Shantha, journalist with The Wire, regarding the provisions in prison manuals in states such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala that legitimised caste inequalities. Her 2020 report ‘From Segregation to Labour, Manu’s Caste Law Governs the Indian Prison System‘ formed the basis of the plea.

The case was fought pro bono by lawyers, including senior counsel S Muralidhar, Advocate Disha Wadekar and S Prasanna. The top court declared that such caste-based provisions in prison manuals are unconstitutional, and directed all states and union territories to revise their prison manuals.

The changes have been made in a chapter titled ‘Miscellaneous’ of the Model Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2023, under the heading ‘Prohibition of caste-based discrimination in Prisons and Correctional Institutions’ as Section 55(A).

Regarding exploitation, the letter also said that the provisions of ‘The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013’ shall have a binding effect even in Prisons and Correctional Institutions. “Manual scavenging or hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank inside a prison shall not be permitted,” it stated.

While manual scavenging is prohibited under the law, its practice, as found in The Wire’s investigation, remains rampant across prisons in India. The Model Prison Manual had remained silent on its existence until now.

Home ministry’s letter for amendment in the Model Prison Manual, 2016 and the Model Prisons
and Correctional Services Act, 2023.

Further, the ministry has revised the definition of habitual offenders in the manual following the court’s order to separate habitual offenders from casual prisoners. The new definition goes, “Habitual offender means a person who during any continuous period of five years, has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment on more than two occasions on account of any one or more of the offences committed on different occasions and not constituting parts of same transaction, such sentence not having been reversed in appeal or review.”

This is perhaps the first judgement by the Supreme Court that addresses the criminalisation of the denotified and nomadic communities in India.

The term “habitual offender” has deep-rooted prejudices and is often used interchangeably to describe denotified and nomadic tribes. Several provisions in many state prison manuals explicitly identify “wandering tribes” and “criminal tribes” as communities that should be discriminated against and deprived of the special provisions available to other communities.

The post Home Ministry Adheres to Supreme Court Ruling, Revises Prison Manual Rules to End Caste-based Discrimination appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Background

The controversy surrounding Prof. Harijan began when he posted a critical message on social media, where he voiced concerns over certain Hindu deities, arguing that some religious figures perpetuate caste-based discrimination and superstition. His remarks quickly ignited a firestorm of online criticism, with numerous groups accusing him of insulting Hindu sentiments. The backlash led to widespread condemnation, and the issue escalated further when members of the university’s academic community weighed in.

Though Prof. Harijan issued a public apology for his statements, the response from the public remained largely hostile, prompting the university administration to take formal action. On October 3, during a meeting of the Executive Council of Allahabad University, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sangita Srivastava, the council discussed measures to address the situation. In their deliberations, they concluded that any action by university personnel that could tarnish the institution’s image would not be tolerated. As part of this, the council introduced stricter guidelines for all university staff, particularly faculty members. These guidelines included the stipulation that all faculty members must seek prior approval from the Vice-Chancellor before posting content related to the university on social media.

Despite the official apology and efforts to resolve the issue, the matter took a more serious turn on November 14. Registrar Prof. Ashish Khare issued a formal warning to Prof. Harijan. The notice, which was based on the findings and recommendations of the Executive Council, advised the professor to refrain from making any further provocative remarks on sensitive issues like religion and culture. The notice stated that such actions, particularly those made on public or social media platforms, could potentially harm the reputation of Allahabad University. The warning also emphasized that continued behavior of this nature would result in severe disciplinary actions, in line with the institution’s procedural norms.

Prof. Harijan’s unapologetic stance

According to Mooknayak, Prof. Harijan remained unapologetic about his stance on caste-based discrimination and superstition. He emphasized that his critical remarks were directed not at individuals but at the broader social and religious structures that perpetuate inequality and marginalization.

“If religion and caste promote superstition and discrimination, I will speak out against them, and I will continue to do so. Receiving a notice has not deterred me,” Prof. Harijan stated firmly. He clarified that his views were not aimed solely at Hinduism but extended to all religions that, in his opinion, sustain caste hierarchies and exclusionary practices. “I speak against all religions that encourage discrimination, whether it is Hinduism, Islam, or Sikhism. My focus is on marginalized communities who remain excluded across all religious frameworks,” he explained, as reported Mooknayak.

However, Prof. Harijan’s criticism of religious structures is not new. Throughout his academic career, he has been vocal about the intersections of caste, religion, and social justice. His academic work and public remarks challenge the traditional norms that many in India consider sacred. The professor’s unwavering stance on caste discrimination and his refusal to be silenced by university authorities have made him a polarizing figure.

In the aftermath of the notice, Prof. Harijan’s supporters have rallied behind him, lauding his courage to speak out against the social evils of casteism and superstition. Many students and faculty members at Allahabad University have voiced their admiration for Harijan’s commitment to social justice, noting that his contributions to the academic environment have been invaluable in raising awareness about marginalized communities and their struggles.

Allahabad University’s formal notice, and Prof. Harijan’s response, have reignited a larger debate about the freedom of expression, particularly for academics, and the role of universities in shaping public discourse. The incident also raises important questions about the limits of academic freedom, especially when it comes to discussions that challenge deeply held cultural and religious beliefs.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the university will balance the need to protect its reputation with the rights of its faculty members to express their academic and personal views. However, one thing is clear: Prof. Harijan’s resolve to address caste discrimination, superstition, and social inequities shows no signs of waning, and his actions will undoubtedly continue to provoke thought and controversy in the academic community and beyond.

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Untouchability and exclusion, absence of voice: Dalit situation 2023

The post Dalit Prof. stands firm against caste discrimination and superstition, defying university warning appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Dalit scholar files complaint against professor for casteist slurred in UP

On August 30, Shivam Kumar, a Dalit research scholar at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), has filed a complaint with the National SC/ST Commission after facing casteist harassment and misconduct from a senior professor during an academic meeting on May 30. The incident occurred during Shivam’s viva for upgradation from Junior Research Fellow (JRF) to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) in the Anatomy department of the Ayurveda faculty. According to Shivam, the situation took a turn for the worse when he took a group photo during a refreshment session, which angered the senior professor.

The professor allegedly hurled a half-eaten samosa at Shivam and unleashed a barrage of casteist slurs, questioning his manners for taking pictures while someone was eating. This shocking incident highlights the pervasive casteism and discrimination faced by Dalit students in academic institutions.”

Shivam immediately reported the incident to the university administration, including the dean of students. However, no action has been taken so far, prompting him to escalate the matter to the National SC/ST Commission on August 30, reported The Observer Post.

Shiv Sena leader and mob booked for attacking Dalit youth: Thane, Maharashtra

On September 4, A Shiv Sena leader and several other were booked for allegedly attacking a group of people and preventive them from entering a temple, police said on Thursday. According to a police officer, the incident took place during a meeting called by accused former councillor Vikas Repale at a temple in Wagle Estate area late Wednesday night.

The altercation began when the complainant, a 25-year-old Dalit student, and others of the same caste were stopped from entering the temple by Repale, who questioned their presence to their Buddhist faith.

“As per the complainant, who is a 25-year-old Dalit student, he and some others of his caste were stopped from entering the temple for the meeting by Repale. He told them why they should come to a temple when he (complainant) belongs to a different religion (Buddhism). As per the complaint, Repale tried to hit them with a rod while others with him threw slippers,” said a Wagle Estate police station official, reported Times of India.

Dalit School boy beaten up by teacher with pipe: Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

As reported in Bharat Samachar on September 8, in Meerut, UP, an innocent student was brutally beaten by a teacher with a pipe. The teacher also used caste-based slurred. When the family of the Dalit student complained, the teacher threatened him and sent him away.

The incident is of Rali Chauhan Higher Primary School. In this government school, teacher Vivek Singh brutally beat a Dalit student. It is being reported that the innocent child kept screaming, but the merciless teacher kept beating him with the pipe. When the student reached home, he told the whole incident to his family members and showed the wounds of beating on his body.

Link:

मेरठ

सरकारी स्कूल में दलित छात्र की पिटाई
स्कूल टीचर ने दलित छात्र को बेरहमी से पीटा
शिक्षक विवेक सिंह ने पाइप से छात्र की पिटाई की
शिकायत करने पर पैरेंट्स, ग्रामीणों को धमकाया
थाने में शिकायत के बावजूद केस दर्ज नहीं हुआ
राली चौहान उच्च प्राथमिक स्कूल का मामला… pic.twitter.com/fFGAWAVYfR

— भारत समाचार | Bharat Samachar (@bstvlive) September 8, 2024

However, the student’s family lodged a complaint at the police station, but the case has not been registered.

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Mumbai: Student Arrested After Asking Admin to Curb Ram Temple Celebrations on Campus

The post Cruelty for Caste: Dalit youth, Scholar, Student targeted in shameful attacks appeared first on SabrangIndia.

This committee’s recommendations target various aspects, from administrative reforms and teacher training to curriculum changes and student conduct regulations. The ultimate goal is to dismantle caste-based biases and establish social justice, aligning with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of a progressive society.

This piece delves deeper into the reasons behind the committee’s establishment, the dangers of caste markers in schools, and the proposed solutions for a more equitable educational environment.

The one-man committee: Justice K. Chandru

Justice K. Chandru, a retired judge of the Madras High Court, was appointed to head a One-Man Committee to investigate and address caste-based discrimination and violence in Tamil Nadu’s schools. The committee was tasked with providing recommendations to create an inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory environment in educational institutions. Mr. Chandru submitted his report to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in the presence of School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena and others.

Caste names and markers: their role and significance

Caste names and markers are symbols that denote an individual’s caste identity. These markers can be explicit, such as the wearing of specific colours, symbols, or accessories, or implicit, such as behaviours and practices that indicate caste affiliation. In Tamil Nadu, students often use these markers to signify their caste pride and identity, leading to division and discrimination within educational settings.

Examples of such markers include coloured wristbands, hair ribbons, bindis (vermillion marks), and specific types of clothing. Each colour combination or accessory is associated with a particular caste. For instance, red and yellow wristbands might be worn by members of the Thevar caste, while blue and green might be indicative of the Nadar caste. These markers serve as a visual representation of caste identity and are often used to assert dominance or superiority over other castes.

Caste names and markers perpetuate the social hierarchy by constantly reminding individuals of their position within the caste system. This reinforcement leads to the normalization of discrimination and inequality.

When students use caste markers such as coloured wristbands, hair ribbons, or specific types of clothing, it visibly segregates them into different groups. This visual division can foster an environment of “us vs. them,” promoting inter-caste rivalry. The use of caste markers often goes hand-in-hand with behaviours that assert dominance or superiority of one caste over another. This in turn manifests in bullying, physical violence, and other forms of social exclusion. Caste markers hinder the development of a cohesive and inclusive community within schools.

Recommendations to eliminate caste names and markers

The recommendations provided aim to address and mitigate caste-based discrimination and foster an inclusive, equitable, and non-discriminatory environment in educational institutions. The proposed measures span various aspects of the educational system, from administrative reforms and teacher training to curriculum changes and student conduct regulations. The ultimate goal is to eradicate caste-based prejudices and promote social justice, aligning with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of a constantly evolving society that embraces change and revises old standards for the greater good.

Given the dangers posed by caste names and markers, the One-Man Committee headed by Justice K. Chandru recommended their elimination to foster a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. The key recommendations include:

1. Administrative orders to remove caste identifiers:
Government and private schools should be directed to remove caste prefixes or suffixes from their names. This step aims to eliminate any formal recognition of caste within the school’s identity, setting a precedent for inclusivity.

2. Prohibition of caste markers among students:
Schools should implement strict regulations prohibiting students from wearing or displaying caste-related symbols, such as specific colours of wristbands, hair ribbons, or bindis. This measure seeks to reduce visible indicators of caste that can lead to division and discrimination.

3. Confidentiality of caste information:
Policies should be put in place to maintain the confidentiality of students’ caste backgrounds. By doing so, schools can prevent caste-based segregation and ensure that all students are treated equally regardless of their caste.

4. Promoting social justice and equality:
Educational curricula should be revised to include lessons on social justice, equality, and non-discrimination. This education can help students understand the negative impacts of caste discrimination and foster a culture of mutual respect and inclusion.

5. Implementation of a code of conduct:
Establishing a Code of Conduct for both students and teachers that explicitly prohibits caste-based discrimination and behaviours is crucial. This code should include consequences for violations to ensure compliance and accountability.

Other recommendations given by the committee

1. Teacher and officer regulations
Periodic transfers of teachers and officers were recommended to prevent dominance by any single caste in specific areas. Guidelines should ensure that high-ranking education officers do not belong to the dominant caste of their area. The Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) should consider candidates’ attitudes toward social justice during recruitment, and a statutorily prescribed Code of Conduct for teachers and staff should be introduced. Annual orientation programs on social issues and laws pertaining to discrimination should also be mandatory.

2. Unified control of schools
Bringing all types of schools under the unified control of the School Education Department was another key recommendation. This policy seeks to streamline administration and ensure uniform standards across all schools. A committee of high-level officers may be necessary to oversee this transition and resolve issues related to the service conditions of teachers.

3. Teacher training and curriculum changes
Revising the B.Ed. syllabus and the Diploma in Elementary Education to focus on inclusivity was recommended. An expert committee should review school syllabi to eliminate incorrect views and promote social justice values. Establishing a Social Justice Monitoring Committee to oversee curriculum changes related to social justice issues is also suggested. 

4. Mobile phone restrictions and Ara Neri classes
Prohibiting the use of mobile phones by students in school campuses to minimize distractions and introducing compulsory Ara Neri classes from Class 6 to Class 12, focusing on social justice, equality, and non-discrimination, were suggested. A guide should be prepared to ensure the effective delivery of these concepts. 

5. Appointment of counsellors and school welfare officers
Appointing trained counsellors for each Block and School Welfare Officers (SWOs) for larger schools was proposed to address issues such as ragging, drug abuse, and caste discrimination. These officers should monitor school activities, conduct orientation programs, and report directly to a State-level Monitoring Committee.

6. Grievance mechanisms and reservation policies
Establishing a dedicated grievance box managed by the SWO, with strict confidentiality, was recommended. Ensuring reservation of seats in higher secondary classes for Scheduled Caste students to pursue science subjects was also proposed. Expanding the National Service Scheme (NSS) to include students from 9th to 12th grade and establishing a Social Justice Students Force (SJSF) are additional measures aimed at promoting social justice. 

7. Centralized kitchens and use of school properties
Creating Block-level central kitchens for school meal programs, with proper staffing and distribution networks, was recommended to improve efficiency and support disaster relief efforts. Regulations should be introduced to prevent the use of school properties for non-educational purposes, particularly for activities that propagate communal or caste-related messages. 

8. Addressing caste atrocities and promoting communal harmony
The state government should assess areas prone to caste atrocities and take preventive measures. A Special Intelligence Unit should be constituted to gather information on caste violence. An expert body should investigate allegations of saffronisation of education. Finally, the government should take appropriate steps at the societal level to eradicate caste discrimination and promote communal harmony.

The need for the committee: context and background

The One-Man Committee was established following a series of disturbing incidents that highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to caste-based discrimination in schools. In August 2023, the brutal attack on two Dalit children in Nanguneri by a group of six minors brought to light the severity of caste-based violence in educational settings.

The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) conducted a study across 441 schools, revealing widespread caste-based violence and discrimination. The study, which covered government, government-aided, and private schools, found that caste-based discrimination was prevalent among students and, alarmingly, propagated by some teachers.

Findings of the study conducted by Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF)

In 25 schools across various districts, caste violence among students was reported. Students openly expressed casteist sentiments, formed groups based on their caste, and used specific colours of kerchiefs, bindis, threads, and stickers to indicate their caste. The study identified 34 types of caste-symbolic indications used by students.

Dalit students were made to wash the school’s toilets, a task not assigned to students of other castes, in 15 schools. In six schools, students were segregated into separate lines based on caste to receive their mid-day meals, and in four schools, dining rooms were segregated by caste. Such practices humiliate Dalit students and reinforce caste hierarchies among young minds.

The study found that caste-based discrimination extended to teachers in at least three schools. Teacher’s actively propagated caste-based discrimination in classrooms, refused to touch Dalit students, and subjected them to excessive punishment. In Madurai, a school cancelled the felicitation function for Class 12 toppers because the top two rank holders were Dalits, further illustrating deep-seated prejudices among educators.

A case in Nanguneri town involved a 17-year-old Dalit boy from the Paraiyar caste who was nearly hacked to death by three of his Thevar caste classmates. This attack followed years of bullying and was triggered by a complaint the victim had lodged about the harassment he faced. The attackers, showing no remorse, took turns assaulting the boy with a billhook in a planned and brutal manner. Despite the victim’s and his mother’s efforts to seek help from the school administration, no action was taken, leading to the brutal attack. This incident is a stark example of how caste-based bullying can escalate into life-threatening violence.

These harrowing examples expose the urgency of implementing the One-Man Committee’s recommendations. The brutal attack in Nanguneri and the pervasiveness of caste discrimination documented by the TNUEF study demonstrate the devastating impact on students’ well-being and educational opportunities. Ignoring these issues allows a culture of fear and prejudice to fester, jeopardizing the safety and hindering the potential of Dalit students. Implementing the Committee’s recommendations – from eliminating caste markers to fostering social justice through education – is not just about fostering a more inclusive environment, it’s about safeguarding the fundamental right to education and preventing violence. It’s a critical step towards a future where Tamil Nadu’s schools empower all students, regardless of caste, to reach their full potential.

Long term goals of the one-man committee

There are three long term goals that have been outlined in the report submitted.

First, is the enactment of special legislation in Tamil Nadu to enforce a policy of social inclusion and eradicate caste discrimination across all educational levels? This legislation should impose duties and responsibilities on students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and management. It should include mechanisms for supervision, control, and sanctions for non-compliance.

Second, is to enhance the control of local bodies over primary education. This involves granting full authority to block-level administrations (Panchayat Unions) over the management of primary schools, including appointing, posting, and removing staff. To facilitate this transition, the government should formulate new legislation granting true autonomous powers to local bodies. This may require amending the existing Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act of 1994. By providing local bodies with full control over primary education, the government can create a more people-oriented education system that is better aligned with the needs and aspirations of local communities.

Third, is to amend the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, to prevent caste appellations in the names of educational institutions. This amendment would ensure that societies intending to start educational institutions do not include caste-based identifiers in their names.

Conclusion

The One-Man Committee’s recommendations offer a roadmap for dismantling caste-based discrimination in Tamil Nadu’s schools. By eliminating caste markers, revising curriculums, and fostering social justice principles, the proposed measures aim to create a truly inclusive educational environment.

The success of these recommendations’ hinges on effective implementation and a societal shift towards recognizing the inherent equality of all individuals. Eradicating caste-based discrimination requires a multi-pronged approach addressing educational practices, teacher mind-sets, and broader social norms.

If implemented effectively, the One-Man Committee’s vision can pave the way for a future where Tamil Nadu’s schools become bastions of learning, opportunity, and social justice for all students, regardless of caste.

The report of the committee can be read below:

Related:

Tamil Nadu: Abuses, segregated meals, forced to clean toilets, systemic discrimination faced by Dalit students

Caste Discrimination and Related Laws in India

Widespread residential segregation & discrimination of Muslims & Dalits: Study

Higher education: Caste discrimination runs deep 

UP: Dalit School Teacher Alleges Discrimination by Principal & Upper-caste Teachers

Caste Struggle and Colonialism dropped from NCERT school textbooks

The post Dismantling caste in education: Tamil Nadu’s attempt at tackling discrimination appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The top five states include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and others. Uttar Pradesh (13,146 cases) reported the highest number of cases of atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs) at about 25.82%, which is followed by Rajasthan with 14.7% (7,524) and Madhya Pradesh with 14.1% (7,214) during 2021. The next two states in the list include Bihar accounting for 11.4% (5,842) and Odisha 4.5% (2,327). 

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

A young Dalit student was assaulted and sexually abused at the Banaras Hindu University. According to Hate Detectors’ X page, an FIR has been filed in the case. As per the Mooknayak, the student has sent a written complaint to the Lanka Police Station in connection with police demanding action and has stated that he will leave the university if no action is taken.

In #UttarPradesh‘s #Varanasi, a #Dalit student, resident of #Ahmedabad, #Gujarat, currently pursuing masters from #BHU, Varanasi was allegedly abused, assaulted and attempts of unnatural sex by pulling off his pant was made on him in the university hostel by two suspects on March… pic.twitter.com/kswRdrbbPP

— Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) April 1, 2024

Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi also saw the death of a 40-year-old sanitation worker from the Dalit community. The man, Ghurelal, died after inhaling toxic and poisonous gases while cleaning a sewer. The death took place at Bhaisapur Ghat in Adampura village. The incident reportedly took place after a complaint about a sewage blockage had taken place, as per the Mooknayak. The outlet reported that over the last 5 years, 400 sanitation workers have died on accidents related to work in sewage systems. While on the job, Ghurelal and a colleague Sunil, went into the sewage after which Sunil emerged from the pit speaking about the presence of poisonous gases. Ghurelal could not return to consciousness even when the medical team arrived and rescued him from the pit. A similar incident had taken place in Tamil Nadu, where two Dalit men died of cleaning a sewage tank.

Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh

A Dalit woman was beaten to death after her goat strayed into a field. The owner of the field had beaten her with a stick after shouting abuses at her. The woman can be seen being beaten brutally in a video that has come up of the incident.

The local police have reportedly started an investigation.

Salem, Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu’s Salem was shocked by violence after members of the Adi Dravidar community, a scheduled caste in the state, were denied entry into a temple on May 2nd during festivities.

The denial of entry to the Mariaman temple at Deevattipatti by the Vanniyar community, which is designated as Most-Backward Caste, led to a violent clash with stone pelting between the two groups. Although major violence has subsided in recent days, sporadic incidents of stone throwing continue, prompting a significant police presence in the area to prevent further escalation.

According to a senior police officer, local police stations have been instructed to monitor purchases of knives and sickles, even for domestic use. In Salem District, shops selling such items have been directed to record the phone numbers and identity card details of buyers. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by MP Thol Thirumavalam has decided to take a protest march in the area on May 8.

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Cow dung dumped in potable water tank used by Dalit residents

Violence against Dalits continues as India gears for democratic festivities 

The post Student, sanitation worker, farmer: Dalit lives across society unsafe appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The overhead tank was a storage facility for potable drinking water for the local residents. The 10,000-litre capacity tank had been erected in a colony of the Sangam Viduthi Panchayat in 2014.

In the aftermath of the incident, as per the New Indian Express, the district administration organised a medical camp o at Guruvandan Street in Sangam Viduthi to help residents who reported feeling unwell after consuming contaminated water.

The area, as per reports, is mostly inhabited by members of the Adi Dravidar community. It houses about 35 Dalit families and five higher caste Hindu families. PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi) Founder Doctor S Ramadoss said the contamination was inhumane. He has also called for urgent action on the issue.

An inspection was conducted by officials who were accompanied by Panchayat President Perumal, when Revenue Inspector Priyadharshini, and VAO Subha, Commissioner Periyasamy inspected the water source and confirmed the presence of cow dung. An investigation is to follow as the Commissioner had reportedly instructed officials to gather water samples for testing and initiate an investigation into the incident.

Assuring the local residents, the commissioner has promised strict action against those responsible for the contamination. Subsequently, as per reports there have been arrangements made to supply water from a neighbouring village’s reservoir to supply the   affected communities with drinking water after the water tank was cleaned with bleach and not permitted to be used for storing drinking water.

As per The Hindu, senior medical official Aranthangi Depuy Director of Health Namasivayam had also visited the colony after the incident. According to a Times of India report, the village vice-president Shanthi Karthikeyan has urged the authorities to arrest the culprit at the soonest.

The incident is similar to the horrifying incident from December 2022 when the drinking water of local Dalit residents was contaminated with human faeces in Vengaiyvayal village of Tamil Nadu. The issue was discovered only after three children were hospitalised after they had drunk the contaminated water. The incident has rocked the state, with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin even commenting that the fact that the incident took place points toward the persistence of caste discrimination and untouchability in some pockets of society.

Untouchability seems to be firmly entrenched within society across India. Recently, Sabrang India covered how a Dalit boy from Rajasthan was beaten and his family was verbally abused after he accidentally touched the bucket of an upper caste man when he tried to go drink water from a hand pump. Thereby the question of purity and pollution continues to persist despite the legal abolition of untouchability in 1955. This notion of purity and pollution thereby continues to be a source of violence to the Dalits and also serves to prevent their access to basic amenities. For instance, Karnataka recently witnessed reports of Dalit residents of a colony asserting that they were denied water by the village administrators due to their caste.

Related:

Violence against Dalits continues as India gears for democratic festivities

Absent in Elections 2024: Dalits and the historic battle for land

Sexual assault at BHU: Dalit student alleged abuse, assault and attempts of forced sex against another student in hostel

Telangana: Christian cemetery attacked a week after Dalit Churchgoers were attacked

The post Cow dung dumped in potable water tank used by Dalit residents appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In two of these incidents, Dalit students were the victims while in the third incident, an elderly Dalit woman had to suffer brutal physical abuse after her goats strayed into the field of another. These incidents of violence have sparked an uproar amongst people.

These caste-based incidents of violence underscore the persistent discrimination and violence faced by Dalits in the state of Uttar Pradesh, currently being ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party government. One should also note that the state of Uttar Pradesh has continuously topped the NCRB list of states where anti-Dalit instances are prevalent. After these three incidents, we have also provided an overview of the anti-Dalit incidents that have emerged in the state since the beginning of the current year.

Anti-Dalit Crimes (March 26-April 3, 2024)

Assault of minor Dalit student:

On April 2, reports of a minor Dalit student being beaten up for not touching the feet of the teacher emerged. As per a report of The Mooknayak, in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a Class VI Dalit student was beaten up by the teacher at a government primary school, namely Murarpur Primary School, for not touching his feet. It had been alleged that the teacher also used caste-related slurs while physically abusing the minor child. Notably, the teacher, Ravi Shankar Pandey, beat the student for not touching his feet as a mark of respect.

The report states that a case has been filed against the accused teacher in the Uruva police station of ​​Gorakhpur district under the Scheduled Caste-Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act and other related sections in the assault case. The complaint in the present matter had been made by the family members of the minor victim.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Jitendra Kumar stated to The Mooknayak that a case has been registered based on the complaint and the police is investigating. Action will be taken on the basis of investigation and evidence. It is essential to note that the accused teacher has reportedly been absconding since the incident.

Assault of Dalit elderly woman:

On March 31, a video showing a man beating up a woman with a stick started doing rounds on social media. The abuser can be seen brutally thrashing and slapping the woman. It is also essential to highlight here that the abuser can be heard hurling casteist slurs at her. The video had been uploaded on the ‘X’ profile of The Dalit Voice and can be accessed below.

#Horrible A 60-year-old Dalit woman was brutally beaten after her goat strayed into a field. The owner of the field beat the woman with a stick and hurled abuses at her. The incident happened in UP’s Bulandshahar… pic.twitter.com/Mj2p5IB0hM

— The Dalit Voice (@ambedkariteIND) March 31, 2024

As per a report in the Siasat, the woman in the video is a Dalit woman of 60. As provided in the report, she was subjected to brutality when her goat accidentally strayed into the latter’s fields. The incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahar region.

As per the media report, the state police have registered a case into the incident under the SC/ST Act and has assured of strict action against the abuser.

Bullet injuries to minor Dalit student:

On March 26, a clash was reported to have taken place between two groups in Silai Baragaon village in Milak area over the installation of a hoarding with a picture of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. As per a report in the Siasat, during the said conflict, a 17-year-old Dalit boy named Sumesh Kumar received bullet injuries. These injuries ultimately led to his death. It is essential to note that the minor deceased child was returning home after writing his Class 10 examination.

Uttar Pradesh and increasing caste-based violence:

As per the ‘Crime in India, 2022’ report published by the National Crime Records Bureau, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, atrocities against Dalits increased manifold in 2022 from the previous years. The report, which also provides the state-wise data of Dalit atrocities, also depicted that the state of Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of atrocities. As per the report, a total of 15,368 cases of crimes against Dalits were reported in 2022. It is essential to note that the figures of Uttar Pradesh accounts for roughly 28% of the crimes committed against Dalit from all over the country as a total 57,428 crimes were reported to have been committed against Dalits in 2022.

It is essential to highlight here that with 15,368 total cases having been registered in the state, bringing the daily tally of atrocity cases to 40.

Anti-Dalit atrocities reported from Uttar Pradesh since 2024:

In the beginning of January, a 25-year-old Dalit woman found raped and strangled allegedly at the hands of a 27-year-old police constable, who is now identified as Raghvendra Singh, in Agra. The victim’s dead body was recovered from the room the constable had rented, hanging from the ceiling of Singh’s room.

A separate incident was reported after the Republic Day function at Sardar Singh Inter College in Narauli town, two students reportedly assaulted and beat up a Dalit student who had finished his speech on Dr BR Ambedkar with the chant ‘Jai Bhim-Jai Bharat’. The said incident was reported from Narauli area of UP.

Another horrifying incident of violence against woman was also reported from UP’s Baghpat area in the same month with an 18-year-old Dalit woman being pushed into a cauldron of scalding hot oil. It is essential to note that she was protesting sexual harassment that she had faced when the owner of the oil mill she was working work at pushed her into the cauldron with the help of two other people.

In March, a brutal incident of Dalit atrocity was reported from Muzaffarnagar district in western Uttar Pradesh. As per the report of The Mooknayak, a 21-year-old Dalit man was allegedly beaten to death after being held hostage over a “love affair” in the Khatauli block of. The police had identified the victim as Ankit. Ankit was allegedly having an affair with a 30-year-old married woman belonging to the same village but of a different caste. The deceased was beaten to death after being held hostage.

Congress slams UP government, calls the state an “anti-Dalit haven”:

In December 2023, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had termed the NCRB report to be BJP’s “black letter”, depicting the unsafety that surrounds the marginalised community of. Kharge also added that injustice, atrocities, and repression are part of the BJP’s decade-long agenda of dividing society.

After the aforementioned three cases of caste-based atrocities came to light, Congress national general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that Uttar Pradesh had become a “haven for lawlessness and anti-Dalit hate crime.” Attacking the Yogi Adityanath BJP-state government, Ramesh coined the ruling government to be a ‘double anyay’ sarkar. As per a report of Siasat, Ramesh said “In this Anyay-kaal, the only real slogan that the BJP adheres to is Sabka soshan, Sabka utpeedan (everyone’s exploitation, atrocities on everyone)”.

Related:

Sexual assault at BHU: Dalit student alleged abuse, assault and attempts of forced sex against another student in hostel

Chennai: Dalit man hacked to death by in-laws due to caste

Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: 5 Dalit children beaten with sticks, with hands tied behind their back, for drinking water from a well

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