Gehlot government under fire for attacks on Dalits

The cases of attacks on Dalits are rising in Rajasthan and the Ashok Gehlot government is under pressure. Not only the opposition BJP but civil rights organisations are also criticising the government on this. Organisations like Peoples Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) have written an open letter to chief minister Ashok Gehlot regarding this and said it has become clear that the rule of law is slowly coming to an end in Rajasthan.

The incident of lynching of a Dalit man in Pilibanga of Hanumangarh district of the state is already making headlines with BJP making it a political issue.

It has sent a delegation of its MLAs to meet the victims.

The BJP is also demanding a visit of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to the state, though Gehlot had hit back by calling BJP leaders ‘foolish’ on their demand.

However, besides the political attacks, civil society organisations are also criticising the government. In an open letter to CM Ashok Gehlot, the organizations have said ‘many incidents of lynching or seriously injuring Dalits have come to the fore in the last 7 days in Rajasthan. Although after the incidents the accused were arrested, it has become clear that the rule of law is slowly coming to an end in Rajasthan and the poor, Dalits, Adivasis and Muslims are being targeted by the dominant casts.

The organisations have raised questions on the role of the police in the state and alleged that the pendency of investigation is too high and it indicates that police is not doing proper investigation and accused are getting statutory bail.