Dalit killings, reality of casteist India

The gruesome killing of two toddlers of a Dalit family, who were burnt to death in Sunperh village in Haryana, not far from Delhi, is the latest in the recurring atrocities against Dalits. The Sunperh incident has caught attention because it happened close to the national capital and there are strong protests and loud political responses including visits of high-profile leaders to the village. Haryana has a long history of caste prejudices and hostilities. The killing of Dalits in Mirchpur, social boycotts in many places and a number of sexual assaults on Dalit women have received attention recently. The immediate trigger for a conflagration is often ordinary, but it taps into past grievances and animosities. In the case of the Sunperh incident also, it was a growing tension arising from some earlier clashes and deaths that finally burst out into the killings.

Violence and oppression of Dalits and prejudices and discrimination against them are present and real not only in Haryana but all over the country. Untouchability is still practised in many places, especially villages. Even now, the situation is tense in a village near Madurai where Dalits are not allowed to worship in a temple. A few months ago, a girl was beaten up in Chhattarpur in Madhya Pradesh because her shadow fell on a person passing by. Many Dalits have had to pay with their lives for being in love with girls or boys of other castes. In spite of all the social and political changes and democratic empowerment of the weaker sections, society is unequal and oppressive for the Dalits. Socially and economically stronger upper castes are not ready to accept Dalits as equal citizens. Rivalries get deeper with increased competition for power and resources and result in violence.

Though education should ideally help to create a sense of equality among all citizens, it does not always remove the sense of caste identities and prejudices. It should make Dalits and all other oppressed sections aware of their rights, and should empower them. This has started happening and can be seen in the protests of many victims and their associates against unjust acts and their perpetrators. The police is often biased, as was seen in Sunperh, because it is also a part of the prejudiced society. Governments claim to protect the Dalits but often act only after looking at the political balance sheet. Worse, there are insulting and offensive comments, like the one made by minister V K Singh. There is the need for sincerity in action against erring policemen and other officials and in pursuing the cases of discrimination and violence.