SFS 2nd Conference

SFS 2nd Conference

Saturday, May 24, 2014

SOCIAL BOYCOTT OF DALITS IN BOPUR VILLAGE (SANGRUR, PUNJAB):

Social Boycott of Dalits in Bopur (Sangrur, Punjab)

Based on the information appeared in some newspapers on 21th May, regarding the social boycott of Dalits in Baopur village in the Sangrur district, SFS (STUDENTS FOR SOCIETY), DSO (DEMOCRATIC STUDENTS ORGANIZATION) and Lokayat constituted a fact finding team to investigate into the entire matter. While the team interacted with the oppressed Dalits there, the visit also revealed many shocking facts in the village. People in the village informed the fact-finding team that there is no land with the scheduled castes and Backward classes in the village. There are total 81 acres of land with the Panchyat, out of which 27 acres has to be tilled by the Dalits of the village. However, the reality is that the so-called upper castes in the village have dominated so far by playing their cards and keeping the land with themselves. As a result, the Dalits were forced to survive on the mercy of these Jats and other upper castes. This time, the Balmikis and Ravidasi communities (approximately 95 families ) decided to bid in the auction for the land. The outcome was disastrous and the social boycott was imposed on them with many inhuman and oppressive declarations made from the village temple. If anyone tried to keep any contact with them, he/she will be slammed with 21,000 rs. fine. After the police intervention, the two parties arrived on a compromise; however, it was only a sham and on papers as the boycott still continues. Here the role of the administration is questionable as all the culprits are roaming free. The case was registered against two persons only but the police have not tried to deal with the issue of boycott yet.