Defeated Rajput takes on Dalits

Sat Singh

Tribune News Service

Bhiwani, January 12

Members of the Dalit community have to bear the brunt of the defeat of a Rajput candidate in the panchayat elections at Kharak village in the district. The defeated candidate blamed the Dalits for his loss.

“Our electricity lines have been snapped. Our children and women are being chased when they go to attend the nature’s call in fields. Supporters of the candidate use derogatory and casteist remarks against us for his loss,” said Pawan Langyan, a Dalit from Kharak village.

Dalits said supporters of Narender Rajput uprooted their electricity poles and spread obstacles on the way to their houses after the result was declared on Sunday night. They threatened them with dire consequences for not voting in favour of Narender, they alleged.

Sanju and Mukesh, who had gone to lodge a police complaint, said 14 candidates were in fray for the post of sarpanch and Anil Parmar of the Rajput community won the election.

They said, “The harassment of our community has not been stopped since declaration of the result. BJP MLA Bishember Balimki is from our village but he has not come to take stock of the situation even after being contacted.”

Rakesh Pehalwan, another defeated candidate, also demanded action against Narender for harassing the entire Dalit community for his loss. “Victory and defeat is a part of the election process but it should not be taken at personal level,” he said.

Kharak police chowki in charge Ramkishan Jangra said he had received a complaint from the Dalit community and a case would be registered after visiting the spot.

Six injured in clash at Bhiwani village

Bhiwani: The outgoing sarpanch of the district’s Umravat village could not swallow his defeat in the first phase of panchayat elections and on Tuesday allegedly attacked a village resident and his family for “not voting” for him. Bhagwat Kaushik said the outgoing sarpanch, Jagdish Kumar, and his supporters attacked his family with weapons after the result was declared. Three of his family and three supporters of Kumar were injured. One of them was critically injured and admiited to Civil Hospital, the police said.  — TNS