Her Excellency
The President
Rashtrapati Bhawan
Raisina Road
New Delhi
Madam,
It is with deep sorrow and anguish that we approach you to seek protection of life, property and dignity of thousands Dalit families living in the state of Gujrat. In a large number of villages dominant caste landlords and criminal elements are perpetrating most heinous crimes on Dalits-raping women, enforcing social and economic boycott of dalits, subjecting dalits to physical torture and harm and forcibly evicting them from their homes. We are enclosing a list of some of such villages-the list is demonstrative but not exhaustive.
Lok Janshakti Party National President Shri Ram Vilas Paswan under-took a march from Ahmedabad with thousands of LJP, Dalit Sena workers, LJP State President Mukesh Gujjar and Dalits victims of Banthal village to Banthal, eighty KM away from Ahmedabad on 15th April, where Shri Paswan arranged to unlock the houses of Dalits & rehabilitated them in their homes. He addressed a public meeting in Banthal & told that there were many such villages in Gujarat where dalits have been harassed and compelled to leave their villages. He announced that he will visit these villages for the rehabilitation and justice for dalits. He also announced that he would lead a delegation of victims to the President of India.
Shri Paswan met Hon’ble Governor of Gujarat on 16th April 2010 and apprised him of the incidents of Banthal village and requested him to order the state government to prevent the atrocities on dalits immediately. Hon’ble Governor promised to take appropriate action in this matter.
Out of 3500 population of Banthal village, 50% population is of Dalits who have been tortured by the upper caste for a long time. Molestation of women and torturing men was a regular feature in the village. Last year on 28th April there was a three days celebration of Ram Mandir Pran Pratisthan programme in which the Dalit families were denied access to temples by the upper castes. On the same night the strong man of the village called a meeting and took decision to force Dalits to leave the village. Shopkeepers were warned not to give them even essential commodities such as milk, rations, vegetables and water. They will not be allowed to crush wheat in atta chakki, no body would allowed them on private or public vehicle, no body would give them work in farming and no barber will cut the hair of dalits. Those who did not follow the farman would be fined Rs. 1100/-. The victims ran away and took shelter in Jaitpur village, distt. Rajkot.
Against these atrocities an FIR was lodge in Birgram Gaon, Tehsil Police Station against the members of the Mandir Committee but no action has been taken against the culprits.
After Mr. Paswan’s march Dalit residents of the village who were forced to fled the village entered their homes. But today they live there under constant fear. The situation in respect of other such villages is still worst-dalits have either deserted their homes under duress or living with their lives under constant fear.
Madam President, Gujarat Govt has completely failed in discharging it's constitutional duty to provide protection to life and property of Dalit living in Gujrat. Our repeated appeals and pleas to the Govt of Gujarat have not yielded any justice. Now, Madam President we have come to you seeking justice. Madam you are the custodian of the constitution. Rashtripati Bhawan is the highest place of appeal for us. We request you to kindly direct the Central Govt to intervene in the matter and force the Govt of Gujarat to ensure safety and security of Dalits living in Gujraj.
We are enclosing copies of petitions and details given to the state Govt.
(Ram Vilas Paswan)
Members of the delegation:
- Shri Ram Chander Paswan, National President, Dalit Sena
- Shri Abdul Khaliq, Secretary General, LJP
- Shri Sabir Ali, MP (Rajya Sabha)
- Shri Mukesh Gurjar, State President, Gujarat LJP
- Shri Ratnotar Harish Bhai S/o Shri Babulal
- Shri Chawda Narshi Bhai S/o Shri Ratna Bhai
- Shri Sarola Ram Bhai S/o Shri Shankar Bhai
- Shri Chawda Bechar Bhai S/o Shri Vala Bhai
- Shri Sarola Gidha Bhai S/o Shri Magha Bhai
- Shri Chawda Babu Bhai S/o Shri Vira Bhai
- Shri Sarola Hija Bhai S/o Shri Juha Bhai
- Smt Chawda Pasi Ben W/o Shri Narsi Bhai
- Shri Ratnotar Gauri Shankar S/o Shri Babu Lal
- Smt Ratnotar Jyotasna Ben W/o Shri Harisha Bhai
- Shri Rathod Moti Singh S/o Shri Khuman Singh
- Shri Chawda Devsi Bhai S/o Shri Ramji Bhai
|
