On 5th May, a clash erupted between Dalits and Thakur community in a village of Saharanpur where a young man was killed and at least two dozen Dalit houses were torched in retaliation
IndiaTomorrow.net
Lucknow, May 15: The capital of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday witnessed people’ first protest against the Yogi Adityanath government over the recent attacks on Dalit community in Saharanpur district of the state. Seeking justice to the victims, people demanded a judicial probe into the violence.
The protest was organized by many social and youth organizations under the banner of “Samvidhan Bachao Desh Bachao Abhiyan (Save Constitution, Save Country – SBDBA)” near Grand Post Office in Hazratganj area here.
Questioning the silence of state BJP government, SBDBA member Pradeep Sharma said: “For the last one week, Saharanpur has been under fire. Goons attacked Dalits in an organized way; they attacked even women by sharp weapons. But the BJP, which talks about B R Ambedkar, is silent.”
“These attackers have got patronage of Police,” he alleged.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating law & order situation in the state youth leader Ameeque Jamei said: “The law & order situation is worsening day by day. Sanghi goons are not leaving even IPS officers. Police is working under pressure of RSS.”
“Dalit victims should be compensated and a judicial probe be constituted in Saharanpur incident,” he demanded.
On 5th May, a clash erupted between Dalits and Thakur community in a village of Saharanpur where a young man was killed and at least two dozen Dalit houses were torched in retaliation.
According to Hindustan Times, violence erupted when a musical procession of the upper caste Thakur community celebrating the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap was passing through a Dalit-dominated village and some Dalits objected to the procession. This triggered first verbal clash which soon turned violent with people from both sides throwing stones and bricks at each other.
Several people, including Police and fire brigade personnel were also wounded in the attack.
Rajeev Yadav from Rihai Manch alleged the state BJP government for protecting the culprits.
“The state government is protecting criminals and crushing dissenting voices of oppressed Dalits,” he said.
Dr. Jagdishwar Patel, member of SBDBA said: “These incidents are shameful and inhuman. Attacks on minorities and their killings by Gau Rakshaks (Cow Vigilantes) have become common across the country. The government is turning a deaf ear to the issue but citizens will not. We have come on the street so that the government takes steps to stop the killings of Dalits and Muslims.”
Other groups like Jan Ekta Manch, Pichda Samaj Mahasabha, SCBC Forum and CPI (ML) were also part of the protest demonstration.
