Rahul blames Centre for Dalit-Thakur clashes in Saharanpur

SAHARANPUR( Uttar Pradesh): Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi blamed the Union government on Saturday for the violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur but was blocked from entering the town torn apart by caste clashes that has killed three people and injured scores.

Rahul was speaking at the border of the western UP district rocked by clashes between Dalit and Thakur communities that has also seen more than 50 houses of Scheduled Caste families burnt down. “Dalits are being crushed not only in Saharanpur but all over the country and the BJP-led Centre is responsible,” he said after interacting with Dalit families who had come from Shabbirpur, the epicentre of the current caste clashes in the communally-sensitive Sahranpur district.

Rahul met two Dalit brothers, Badal and Sawan, whose hut was attacked in the violence on May 9 and ensured them a fair probe into the incident. “I asked him (Gandhi) to ensure that cases against Dalits and the Bhim Army are withdrawn,” said seven-year-old Badal after meeting Rahul.

The Bhim Army is a group of youths that claims to fight for Dalit rights and is also accused of inciting the violence. Rahul also blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party for stoking “anti-national” forces and unrest in Kashmir. Rahul was denied permission to visit the affected villages as the district administration feared deterioration in the law and order situation. Senior state government officials gathered at the district border, around 30km from the epicentre, Shabbirpur, to stop Rahul.

The administration prohibited visit of political leaders on May 23, when violence erupted after Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati’ s visit to Shabbirpur.

District magistrate Pramod Singh, who denied the permission, said political leaders would be allowed to visit the affected areas only after normalcy returns.

Since Saturday afternoon, policemen in riot-gear, and senior government officials assisted by contingents of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Provincial Armed Constabulary guarded the Sarsawa check post -- Saharanpur’s border with Haryana -- to stop Rahul from reaching Shabbirpur. “I wanted to go to Saharanpur but was told law and order could deteriorate. I have been assured that when the situation normalises, I will be allowed to visit them,” said Rahul.

Violence first broke out in Saharanpur about 40 days ago following a procession to mark Ambedkar Jayanti.