Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Dalit children on hunger strike, seek probe into father’s death

- Mukesh Mathrani htraj@hindustant­imes.com

of anomalies at the centre.

In March 2015, BJP legislator from Baran, Pratap Singh, raised a question in the state assembly on the status of the enquiry and action taken, if any. The university responded saying that the action on the committee’s report was under process.

While the old committee’s recommenda­tions were never implemente­d, a new four-member panel was again formed to enquire into the matter.

Anil Bansal, an associate professor at University of Rajasthan and member of the new panel, told Hindustan Times that the committee’s head wanted to absolve the accused in the case while the other three members, including him, did not agree to it. “We refused to sign the report,” said Bansal.

Shrikrisha­n Sharma, the committee’s head, refused to comment on the issue.

Contacted, MLA Pratap Singh said that he was unsatisfie­d with the university’s response. It seems that the enquiry is being deliberate­ly delayed to shield the accused, he said.

Commenting on the matter, university vice-chancellor Prof Vinod Kumar Sharma said that he’ll have to look at the records before making a statement. He, however, added that there was no favouritis­m of any sort at the university and everything was taking place as per the rules.

dalit children, supported by their family, were demonstrat­ing for the past 22 days outside the Barmer collectora­te, demanding police investigat­ion into their father’s death.

The family went on hunger strike from Wednesday.

Khetaram Bheel (30) was found dead on the outskirts of Aasada village on May 4. The family alleged that he was murdered, but police claimed that it was an accidental death.

After Khetaram’s father Prabhu Ram lodged an FIR at the rural police station in Barmer on May 4, police filed the case under section 302 (punishment for murder) of IPC and 3(II)(V) of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Khetaram’s father Prabhu Ram (65), his mother Leela Devi (62), wife Lehari Devi (28) and his four kids —Fuli (8), Bhikha Ram (6), Kabbu (3) and Riksha (1) — started demonstrat­ing outside the collectora­te on June 2.

The family members alleged that they were forced to take this step after police took no action for a month. On June 21, the family, including minor kids, started hunger strike. After Leela Devi’s health worsened, a medical team from the Barmer government hospital treated her.

The family warned that they will not end the strike till they get justice. Many dalit organisati­ons suppoted the dalit family.

“Police are intentiona­lly ignoring justice,” said Dalit Aadiwasi Sangarsh Samiti convener Danaram Waghela. “Though the case was filed about two months back, police have not started a fair investigat­ion.”

Apart from justice, Waghela said, they are demanding financial aid to the family under the SC/ST Act.

Barmer MP Col. Sonram Choudhary, Urdu Academy chairman Ashraf Ali Khilji, BJP legislator from Chohtan Tarunrai Kaga and former Barmer MP Harish Choudhary met the victims and assured them justice.

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 ?? HT FILE PHOTO ?? Jagadguru Ramanandac­harya Rajasthan Sanskrit University at Madau.
HT FILE PHOTO Jagadguru Ramanandac­harya Rajasthan Sanskrit University at Madau.
 ?? HT PHOTO ?? The family outside the Barmer collectora­te.
HT PHOTO The family outside the Barmer collectora­te.

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