Dalit youth assaulted during religious festivals in Chhattisgarh, police fail to invoke SC/ST Act
Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Two Dalit youth, including a minor, were brutally beaten in Bilaspur district on consecutive nights of October 19 and 20. The incidents occurred during Hindu religious festivities in Mahmand and Bharda villages, both within the Torwa police station's jurisdiction.
The first assault occurred on October 19, as reported by Madhyamam on Monday. 16-year-old Ashutosh Barle, a Massorie Shishu Mandir Bhawan student, had gone to a Kali Mata Puja event in his hometown during his school holiday. He was verbally abused by Pradeep Maharaj using casteist remarks. According to eyewitnesses, Pradeep was joined by Deepeshwar and Rahul, who began beating Ashutosh with fists and rods until he lost consciousness.
A local resident alerted his mother, Sarita. She rushed to the spot and took him home. The assailants reportedly followed them and pelted stones at their house. They forced the family to lock themselves inside for safety. Activist Sanjeet Barman later alleged that the police failed to document the incident accurately when the family approached them.
The following evening, during the Laxmi Utsav celebrations, a similar attack was reported in Bharda village. Amit Yadav questioned twenty-year-old Dalit Lokesh Kumar Jangde about his attendance at the public function. Lokesh, who is a farmer and part-time driver, was verbally abused using caste-based slurs. According to witnesses, Amit and others, identified as Roshan and Shiva Yadav, took him from the pandal and assaulted him.
While the police said a First Information Report (FIR) was filed, residents and activists said that the police did not use parts of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, allowing the victims an enhanced safety and faster trials.
Activist Barman accused officers at the Torwa police station of mishandling both complaints. He claimed they intimidated the victims’ families and accused the minor of intruding into a “higher-caste festival,” an act he termed as victim-blaming. He further noted that in Ashutosh’s case, provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were also omitted. “The police must apply the correct legal provisions and ensure justice for both victims,” Barman said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
_vb_33.jpeg)
