Dalits reach Karnal, seek protection for families
Three days after a clash between upper caste youths and Dalits over the use of DJ in ghurchari of a Dalit youth in Sagga village of the district, several Dalit families reached Karnal on Monday and held a protest.
The Dalit protesters, including women and children, alleged negligence by the district administration and demanded protection for their families from the members of the upper caste community.
“We are not safe in our own village as our children are facing threats from them (the upper caste). Moreover, nobody is listening to us so we have to come to Karnal,” said Rajkali, a woman protester.
Another villager, Jai Narayan, said, “We do not know what our fault is, why we are being targeted?” “We will not return until the administration assures safety of our children,” he added.
However, Karnal sub-divisional magistrate Yogesh Kumar said, “The issue was sorted out amicably on Saturday with the involvement of villagers and officials of the district administration but now they are protesting again.”
He said that the administration is ready to extend all support to them but they are not responding despite our efforts to approach them.
Later, the Dalits also took a protest march from Karan park to mini-secretariat and held a protest outside the mini-secretariat. Deputy commissioner Mandeep Barar called them for a meeting.
After a meeting which lasted for two hours, the 10-member committee of Dalits agreed to end the protest and decided to return back to their village as the district administration accepted all their demands.
“Their members of the committee, who were called for the meeting, agreed to end their protest after assurance by officials of the district administration.
A CLASH HAD BROKEN OUT BETWEEN DALIT AND UPPER CASTE YOUTHS 3 DAYS AGO
The administration has accepted their demands and an FIR has been registered against the accused.
Police will be deployed in the village to ensure their safety and security,” Karnal SDM Yogesh Kumar told Hindustan Times.
But later, the villagers decided to continue the agitation and till the filing of report the against the accused.
It is pertinent to mention here that a clash between the Dalits and members of the Rajput community took place after members of the Rajput community allegedly objected to the use of DJ by in ghurchari of a Dalit youth’s marriage.
This led to a clash between two communities, following which the district administration deputed police in the village.