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 Dalit leaders return to Nesda; visit shops, but under police protection, to purchase basic necessities.
Ahmedabad: The Tankara police arrested 19 people on 3 October 2008 in connection with an FIR filed over the social boycott of Dalits at Nesda village in Rajkot district of Gujarat. They were later released on bail.
Meanwhile, the Dalit leaders from the village, who were camping at Tankara for registering the FIR, went back to Nesda on 4 October 2008 under police protection. With the social boycott still on, the Dalits went to the village shops under police protection to purchase some basic necessities. Dana Parmar, a Dalit villager said: “We were camping at Tankara for the last 18 days to get the FIR registered. With the FIR registered, we wanted to return to the village, but we feared some backlash, and requested for police protection. We came to Nesda with the police on 4 October 2008. We procured whatever we wanted from the grocers.” Sub-Inspector RB Rana from the Tankara police station, said: “We sent our personnel to accompany them to the grocers’ shop. We have already arranged for a police bandobast there.” It may be mentioned that the Dalit community at Nesda has been facing a socio-economic boycott from the villagers after they refused to drag dead animals manually, which is considered their traditional profession. Incidentally, the FIR mentions only 14 people as accused, including sarpanch Ramesh Bhadja. According to the FIR, the boycott was announced on 5 August 2008 following a meeting of the upper caste village leaders. The Nesda village panchayat does not have any representation from the Dalit community and even the social justice centre of the village does not have a Dalit member. Bhadja said, “There is no boycott happening against the Dalits in the village. The ongoing trouble has defamed the village. The police arrested all of us and we have come home only today. They (the Dalits) are now seeking police protection, and we have the police bandobast in the village.” Parmar, however, added: “With the boycott by the upper castes still on, they don't know what the future holds for them!” (Source: The Indian Express 05 October 2008) http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/boycott-of-dalits-19-held-released-on-bail/369584/ |
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