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.
The first and the foremost concern out of this whole incident indicate that the monster of caste is still alive with its dreadful venom when many think that there is no caste discrimination in Punjab. Dalits in Baopur village live in fear and terror. The fear psychology designed had properly worked in this case too, only to prove that anyone who would try to break the shackles of caste would be defeated without any response. In this the social system is crucially assimilated into the political, administrative and psychological frameworks. This also show how the caste is a tool to perpetuate the exploitative economic arrangements. Second, caste prejudice and corruption within the police and judiciary have effectively ensured that atrocities against Dalits go unpunished, that land reforms remain unimplemented and there is effective preservation of the economic status-quo. The children are also deprived of their right to education and this speaks of the insecurity and feudal state of the upper castes to keep the Dalits at the lower rung of the society.
There are other issues like the condition of women, their education and the continuation of the veil system that show the feudal structure that dominates Indian psyche.
Under the above mentioned circumstances, the fact finding team demanded :
1. An impartial investigation into the series of incidences of Baopur.
2. Using of derogatory language should be banned and considered to be a heinous crime by all sections of law
3. Land reforms be introduced in Punjab
4. Dalits must be allowed to bid in the auction with their rates, and not the normal rates as they continue in the village.
5. The team demanded to take essential steps and register an FIR in the case in a proper manner quoting all appropriate sections and clauses against the Sarpanch and other culprits so that justice is done to the Dalits and no one dares to repeat the same in future.
6. Proper direction should be given to the district administration to ensure the freedom, safety and security of Dalits living under utter terror and fear. But this should not be done at the cost of defending the culprits and weakening this crime against humanity.
7. Ban on using the religious institutions for such heinous purposes.
1. An impartial investigation into the series of incidences of Baopur.
2. Using of derogatory language should be banned and considered to be a heinous crime by all sections of law
3. Land reforms be introduced in Punjab
4. Dalits must be allowed to bid in the auction with their rates, and not the normal rates as they continue in the village.
5. The team demanded to take essential steps and register an FIR in the case in a proper manner quoting all appropriate sections and clauses against the Sarpanch and other culprits so that justice is done to the Dalits and no one dares to repeat the same in future.
6. Proper direction should be given to the district administration to ensure the freedom, safety and security of Dalits living under utter terror and fear. But this should not be done at the cost of defending the culprits and weakening this crime against humanity.
7. Ban on using the religious institutions for such heinous purposes.
(Detailed report will be published later)