Cops were "indifferent" in filing FIR against culprits who attacked Dalit for fighting untouchability

Dalits of Jaspur village

By Our Representative

After the lapse of over a year, Jaspur village of Padra taluka in Vadodara district is once again in the spot. A year ago, on April 13, 2013, the Dalits of the village strongly protested against the dominant castemen providing separate seating arrangement for dinner to the Dalits during a public ceremony at the temple. Taking exception to this and saying that it amounted to treating them as “untouchables”, the Dalits, led by Shantilal Parmar, filed, with great difficulty, an anti-atrocities case against the organizers of the ceremony. “While meek action was taken against the culprits, a year later, the dominant caste leaders decided to retaliate”, Parmar alleged talking to Counterview.

On June 7, 2014, said Parmar, when his son Shashikant was on his way to buy milk at the local dairy, he was badly beaten up by those against whom complaint was filed a year ago. “The culprits surrounded my son from all sides. He was pushed by a tractor carrying bajri on one side, and by a motorcycle on the other. He was told how our house was burnt in 1996 for refusing to listen them, adding, the same would happen this time. He was held from neck, and was asked to lie down. He was badly beat him up, kicking him with shoes, even as continuously using abusive language.”

Shantilal Parmar

Pointing out that all this happened in full public view, Parmar said, “Despite the fact that we approached the Padra police station immediately, the inspector on duty refused to file an FIR, asking us to seek a compromise with the upper caste persons. This forced us to approach the district collector’s office in Vadodara on the next day. The district collector had no time to meet us. Finally, we went and met the district superintendent of police’s (SP’s) office, where our complaint was taken about refusal to file a first information report (FIR) against the culprits.”

Parmar, who is a Dalit farmer and is known for his social activities in the community, said, “The behaviour of the cops has not changed over the last one year. Last year also, the complaint against the untouchability practice was not taken for three days. Following pressure from several NGOs and higher ups, those who were responsible were taken into custody, but only to be set free on bail.” He added, “The pattern is the same this year. Only after the district SP’s office told the Padra police, the cops agreed to file an FIR against the culprits who hit my son was taken.”

The FIR, dated was taken three after the incident, following a complaint from the victim, which said that several persons – Thakorbhai Kanjibhai, Shankarbhai Keshavbhai, Manubhai Govindbhai, and Narendrabhai Dahyabhai – were present when Shashikant was beaten up, adding, those who are responsible for the incident are known for raking up anti-Dalit feelings in the village. “Earlier also anti-atrocities law was applied on these persons, but things have not changed. Stricter action should be taken against those who are responsible”, it added.

The FIR sought action against the culprits under various sections of the criminal procedure law, as also the anti-atrocities law, Parmar said, adding, “Following the FIR, those responsible themselves reached the police station. Though they are theoretically in police custody, they can be seen freely moving around in the police station compound. We have in our possession a video showing how this is happening. Clearly, the police are in hand-in-gloves with upper caste persons.”

Significantly, Padra falls under the Vadodara parliamentary constituency, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi fought his way to the Lok Sabha this year's polls. The Dalits of Padra taluka have always felt being neglected. A recent report said how a statue of Ambedkar stands in a Dalit locality of Padra in Vadodara — robbed of its pride of place in the town square. The report added, about 17 years ago, the local body "allowed" its erection at a prominent spot, but dominant caste groups of the taluka scuttled the move by installing a Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in its place.

Comments

Modi win may force Pak to put Kashmir on backburner, resume trade ties with India

By Salman Rafi Sheikh* When Narendra Modi returned to power for a second term in India with a landslide victory in 2019, his government acted swiftly. Just months after the election, the Modi government abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution of India. In doing so, it stripped the special constitutional status conferred on Jammu and Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority state, and downgraded its status from a state with its own elected assembly to a union territory administered by the central government in Delhi.

Stagnating wages since 2014-15: Economists explain Modi legacy for informal workers

By Our Representative Real wages have barely risen in India since 2014-15, despite rapid GDP growth. The country’s social security system has also stagnated in this period. The lives of informal workers remain extremely precarious, especially in states like Jharkhand where casual employment is the main source of livelihood for millions. These are some of the findings presented by economists Jean Drèze and Reetika Khera at a press conference convened by the Loktantra Bachao 2024 campaign.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah* The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

'Assault on civic, academic freedom, right to dissent': TISS PhD student's suspension

By Our Representative The Mumbai-based civil rights group All India Secular Forum (AISF) has said that the suspension of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) PhD student Ramadas Prini Sivanandan (30) for two years for allegedly indulging in activities which were "not in the interest of the nation" is meant to send out the message that students and educational institutes will be targeted if they don’t align with the agenda and ideology of the ruling regime. TISS in a notice served to Ramadas has cited that his role in screening the documentary 'Ram Ke Naam' on January 26 as a "mark of dishonour and protest" against the Ram Mandir idol consecration in Ayodhya. Another incident cited in the notice was Ramadas’ participation in the protest against unfair government policies in Delhi under the banner of the Progressive Students' Forum (PSF)-TISS. TISS alleges the institute's name was "misused", which wrongfully created an impression that

Magnetic, stunning, Protima Bedi 'exposed' malice of sexual repression in society

By Harsh Thakor* Protima Bedi was born to a baniya businessman and a Bengali mother as Protima Gupta in Delhi in 1949. Her father was a small-time trader, who was thrown out of his family for marrying a dark Bengali women. The theme of her early life was to rebel against traditional bondage. It was extraordinary how Protima underwent a metamorphosis from a conventional convent-educated girl into a freak. On October 12th was her 75th birthday; earlier this year, on August 18th it was her 25th death anniversary.

Tyre cartel's monopoly: Farmers' groups seek legal fight for better price for raw rubber

By Our Representative The All India Kisan Sabha and the Kerala Karshaka Sangham that represents the largest rubber producing state of Kerala along with rubber farmers have sought intervention against the monopoly tyre companies that have formed a cartel against the interests of consumers and farmers. Vijoo Krishnan, AIKS General Secretary, Valsan Panoli, Kerala Karshaka Sangham General Secretary, and four farmers representing different rubber growing regions of Kerala have filed an intervention application in the Supreme Court.

Why it's only Modi ki guarantee, not BJP's, and how Varanasi has seen it up-close

"Development" along Ganga By Rosamma Thomas* I was in Varanasi in this April, days before polling began for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are huge billboards advertising the Member of Parliament from Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The only image on all these large hoardings is of the PM, against a saffron background. It is as if the very person of Modi is what his party wishes to showcase.

Joblessness, saffronisation, corporatisation of education: BJP 'squarely responsible'

Counterview Desk In an open appeal to youth and students across India, several student and youth organizations from across India have said that the ruling party is squarely accountable for the issues concerning the students and the youth, including expensive education and extensive joblessness.

Following the 3000-year old Pharaoh legacy? Poll-eve Surya tilak on Ram Lalla statue

By Sukla Sen Located at a site called Abu Simbel in Nubia, Upper Egypt, the eponymous rock temples were created in 1244 BCE, under the orders of Pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 BC)... Ramesses II was fond of showcasing his achievements. It was this desire to brag about his victory that led to the planning and eventual construction of the temples (interestingly, historians say that the Battle of Qadesh actually ended in a draw based on the depicted story -- not quite the definitive victory Ramesses II was making it out to be).

India's "welcome" proposal to impose sin tax on aerated drinks is part of to fight growing sugar consumption

By Amit Srivastava* A proposal to tax sugar sweetened beverages like tobacco in India has been welcomed by public health advocates. The proposal to increase sin taxes on aerated drinks is part of the recommendations made by India’s Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian on the upcoming Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the parliament of India.

Counterview

Search This Blog