Dalit boy’s death ‘extremely unfortunate, SC panel, police told to bring out truth’

The death of a 12-year-old Dalit boy at a village in Rohru, allegedly by suicide, has caused a stir across the state, with people speaking up against the alleged discrimination meted out to the child by his upper caste neighbour. As per the complaint registered with the police, the 12-year-old consumed poisonous substance after he was locked-up in a cowshed by his neighbour for entering her house and “defiling” it. “The incident is extremely unfortunate and the government has taken it very seriously. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Scheduled Caste Commission and the police to look into it very seriously and bring out the facts as soon as possible,” said Naresh Chauhan, Principal Adviser (media) to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh.

Extremely unfortunate incident

The incident is extremely unfortunate and the government has taken it very seriously. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Scheduled Caste Commission and the police to look into it very seriously and bring out the facts as soon as possible. Naresh Chauhan, principal adviser (media) to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

The BJP and the CPM, too, have also called the incident unfortunate. “In today’s time, such an incident is really shocking and not acceptable at all. We condemn the incident and if someone is found responsible, they should be punished,"

said Randhir Sharma, BJP chief spokesperson.

Sanjay Chauhan, state secretary, CPM, has termed the incident shameful for an educated state like Himachal. “We demand strict action against the accused under the Prevention of Atrocities Act,” he said.

While the police are investigating the matter and the allegations against the accused are yet to be proved, residents of the area claim that caste-based discrimination was a routine affair. “We live in the same village, but there’s no way we can enter their houses. The house gets defiled the moment any Dalit walks into it. Nothing much happens if a dog strays into the house,” said Vinod Singhta, a local resident and an office-bearer of the Dalit community. He further said that it’s not just the poor or the uneducated who face this humiliation. “You may be well educated, having a good job or running a successful business, but nothing is enough to escape this discrimination. Once in the village, your caste decides how you will be treated,” said Singhta, who is a government employee.

Incidentally, such caste-based discrimination is not limited to this particular area alone. It’s prevalent in most areas of upper Shimla and other parts of the state as well. “We get invited to the weddings of upper caste, but separate arrangements are made for us to sit and eat. Also, there are bawris from where we can’t fetch water,” said Suresh Banta, the uncle of the deceased boy. “We are not allowed to enter the temple of the deity of the upper caste,” he added.

Mohan Lal Brakta, the MLA from the Rohru Assembly constituency, who comes from Scheduled Caste community, said the police were investigating the matter and the deceased and his family would get justice.