Caste panchayat orders social boycott of Bharatpur family
BHARATPUR: A caste panchayat in the district allegedly announced social boycott of a family for not following its order in a land dispute between two brothers.
The panchayat passed the order against Bhuri Singh Prajapat’s family, resident of Chaukhanda village under Rudawal police station of Bayana sub-division, on December 1.
Bhuri Singh and his brother Peetam Singh Prajapat are involved in a dispute over around half-hectare agriculture land of their father Parbhati Singh Prajapat, who had in the past officially allocated half of the land, falling along a highway, to Bhuri’s son Balram Singh (23). The remaining half of the land, which is away from the highway, has lower value than the land along the highway.
Unhappy over his father’s decision, Peetam Singh approached the caste panchayat and sought equal division of the land.
In its December 1 order, the caste panchayat ordered equal division of the land, including the highway land, between the two brothers. The panchayat also asked Bhuri Singh to deposit Rs 31,000 with it as guarantee money to follow its order.
Though Bhuri Singh agreed for equal division of the land, but his refused to share the land along the highway.
The panchayat then allegedly ordered social boycott of Bhuri Singh’s family and refused to return his money. The panchayat also ordered that no one from the caste will marry with Bhuri Singh’s children and invite the family members to any programme.
On Saturday, Bhuri Singh approached the police against the panchayat decision. “My family is disappointed with the panchayat’s decision, as they (the panchayat members) have stopped my son Balram Singh’s marriage, who was to be married next month,” Bhuri Singh said. “I have requested police officials to take legal action against the panchayat decision,” he added.
Ram Devi, wife of Bhuri Singh, said, “We are shocked with the decision of panchayat. They forcibly broke my son’s marriage.”
Ramhet Meena, a member of the caste panchayat, said, “Panchayat announced the decision to boycott the family of Bhuri Singh after he refused to accept its decision.”
On Sunday, police reached Chaukhanda village and told the panchayat members not to force Bhuri Singh to follow their decision.
Additional superintendent of police Suresh Kumar Khinchi said, “A complainant has been filed against the panchayat decision. We are investigating the matter. All panchayat members have been banned from forcing the decision on the complainant.”