Dalits defy Delhi Police ban to protest at Jantar Mantar
Despite being denied permission by Delhi Police to hold a rally, thousands of Dalit youths, led by Bhim Army Ekta Mission, gathered at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest against alleged atrocities against the community in Saharanpur in Western Uttar Pradesh.
Bhim Army Ekta Mission is an outfit formed by 30-year-old lawyer Chandrashekhar to fight against “oppression” by people from upper castes. However, several smaller organisations such as Dalit Sangarsh Morcha, Yuva Shakti Dal and youths from different parts of Western UP and Delhi had also gathered to register their support.
The protest comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of Maharana Pratap. The skirmish took place on May 5, when a mob, allegedly from the Thakur community, ransacked and burned down 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members of the community in Saharanpur.
Chandrashekhar, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between the police and the protesters on May 9, also addressed the gathering. “We have come here to fight oppression. If you kill one Chandrashekhar, thousands more will rise. The RSS and Hindu right organisations have been oppressing us for centuries, but we are not weak,” he said.
He also gave out phone numbers to protesters to call for help if they were being oppressed. He also said he was willing to surrender to police.
Sonu Paliwal, 28, a resident of Shimlana village in Saharanpur, said, “We are here because there had been repeated incidents of violence against Dalits. The administration in Saharanpur allows the Rajputs to hold march on Maharana Pratap Jayanti but Dalits are not allowed to celebrate Ambdekar Jayanti.”
The protestors demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against Dalits on May 5 and affected families be awarded a compensation of ₹10 lakh.