SC indicates inquiry into ‘social boycott’ of Dalits in Hisar village

New Delhi, November 13

The Supreme Court indicated on Wednesday that it might order an inquiry into the alleged “social boycott” of Dalit community in a Haryana village for over two years due to a dispute with the “dominant” community over drawing water from a hand-pump.

A bench headed by Justice NV Ramana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to be ready with names of three or four officers who could hold an inquiry into the matter.

“You give names of some independent officers who are neither from this community nor from that community,” the bench told Mehta.

The bench was hearing a petition which has raised the issue of alleged social boycott of Dalit community in a village in Haryana’s Hisar district from July 2, 2017.

During the arguments, the bench asked senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioners, as to why they were seeking a CBI inquiry.

“You are asking for a CBI inquiry. What is it that you will get from it? There is no problem in ordering a CBI inquiry but what you will get from that,” the bench asked.

Gonsalves said the state police had done nothing and they had been “acting on the side of the dominant community”.

Mehta told the bench that the incident took place around two-and-a-half-years ago and the situation had “calmed down” there.

“In the high court (of Punjab and Haryana) there was a petition seeking a CBI inquiry. The high court had asked the district judge to visit the place and verify this. The locals said they had settled the issue among themselves but two people were instigating the villagers,” he said.

Regarding names of independent officers, Mehta said it might not be required in the interest of justice.

The bench, however, asked him to be ready with names of officers and posted the matter for hearing in December.

The apex court had earlier termed the issue as “serious” saying the matter related to social boycott and atrocity and the police had to take action.

The plea has sought a direction to the CBI to take over the probe and prosecute those against whom complaints have been filed with the police alleging that not even a single person has been arrested so far.

It has also sought a direction to the Haryana government to “immediately put an end to the social boycott imposed by the dominant community since July 2, 2017, inter alia, and punish all those responsible for the social boycott by impositng a collective fine on the dominant community”.

It has sought a direction for appropriate externment orders against those involved in the incident and payment of substantial compensation to the victims.

It alleged that the issue was raised before the Punjab and Haryana High Court but the social boycott still continued.

The petitioners claimed that the dispute arose on June 15, 2017 when a group of Dalit boys were assaulted by the members of the dominant community over the use of a hand-pump for drawing water.

It said six people were hospitalised in the assault after which an FIR was registered.

The petitioners alleged that when the members of Dalit community refused to withdraw the FIR, the members of the dominant community and an unregistered organisation issued a call for their social boycott and even their water supply was stopped.

“As a result of the social boycott imposed by respondent number three (organisation), the Dalit community has been blocked from free entry into residential areas and fields which they have exercised for decades. They have been blocked from accessing ration shops, dairy shops, hair cutting salons and the water supply has been sporadically stopped forcing the Dalits to approach the administration,” the plea said. PTI