Dalit Mukti Morcha activist Goldy George presents cases of discrimination against Dalit children in Chattisgarh.

To,
The Chairperson
State Human Rights Commission,
State of Chhattisgarh,
Secretariat Premises, Raipur-492001
Chhattisgarh 492001

Subject: Requesting the urgent intervention of the Commission into the matter of caste based untouchability and discrimination in Bhokludih village within Pithora Block of Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh.

Sir,
We would like to draw your attention to cases of untouchability, discrimination and isolation against Dalits. Many cases of similar nature are going on in the state without the attention of the administration and law. People are frequently flouting the law and order and no action is being taken against anyone in many cases.

Sir, the recent case is that of Bhokludih village within Bhokludih panchayat in Pithora block of Mahasamund district where there are number of cases related with untouchability and caste based disparity. Recently Dalit Study Circle initiated an investigation based on which crucial finding had come into the fore. During the investigation the people reported several kinds of untouchability practised in the village as well as applying different strategies of discriminating Dalits at large. Some of the findings of the investigation are mentioned as below.

1. The first incident came into limelight with two Dalit boys Jitendra Kurre and Nageshwar Kurre, both studying in Std. V, in the primary school in Bhokludih faced humiliation at the hands of the cook during the food distribution as part of the mid-day meal scheme. Both of them hail from Satnami community. Based on the Supreme Court’s verdict to provide cooked mid-day meal to student in the primary school, the school had also appointed a lady to cook the food for students.

2. In the first week of October 2005 the two boys realised they had been given lesser food than others and demanded for sufficient food. Secondly they discovered that the food was not served to them rather it was just thrown into their plates. Also they were made to sit separate, not along with other students.

3. When it continued then the two boys tried to enter the kitchen with the suggestion that they would serve food to all so that the quantity provided is not lesser to anyone and also that they could sit along with others in the same row. But Tilak Moti the cook didn’t allow them to enter the kitchen and warned that “Tum Log Jati Ke Chamar Ho, Tum Khana Nahi Baat Sakte. Tumhare Haat Ka Khana Koi Nahi Khayega”.

4. Followed by this the boys complained to the teacher Ms. Kamala Chauhan. Instantly the madam instructed the cook to take care of the children in a proper way and asked Tilak Moti to provide adequate food in a dignified manner. On this Tilak Moti not only conflicted this but also rushed to the Sarpanch with this complaint. At this Sarpanch Deepanjali Sahu along with her husband Shankar Sahu and few others arrived at the school and began to shout and scold the Dalit boys. They said, “Tum Log Na To Rasoi Me Ghus Sakte Aur Na Hi Khana Vitran Karoge Tumhare Haath Ka Koi Nahi Khayega”.

5. Although this had been continued from long, this had not been taken seriously by the children from Dalit background since they couldn’t realise what untouchability is all about in their little age. However different forms of untouchability practises were going on not only in the village but also within the school premises. This could be proved from the fact that on 7th July 2005 a meeting of the school committee viz. Gram Janbhagidari Samiti was held in which a resolution was passed that no more the practise of untouchability would take place in the school of Bhokludih. During the meeting it was also resolved that the teachers will co-operate and monitor that there is no such practise taking place in the school premises during the mid-day meal distribution.

6. Another similar incident that came into the attention is that of a girl Ku. Gita Hiyal, a student of Std. VI in the middle school of Bhokludih. On 5th October 2005 she went to have a glass of water with her friends Manisha and Sushma inside the kitchen. There Tilak Moti and Arjun, both cooks, barred her from touching the water container inside the kitchen and further said, “Tum Log Chamar Ho, Rasoi Ghar Me Mat Ghusa Karo, Aur Pani Ko Mat Chuo”.

7. Next day a group of people led by Miniketan Rawat, Shankar Sahu husband of the Sarpanch, Kuber Sahu, Samaru Kewat reached Kapurchandra Hiyal’s house, the father of Gita. They called him out and as soon he came out both Miniketan and Shankar threatened him of severe consequences. They said, “Maadarchod Ganda Apne Bachhe Ko Samjhakar Rakh, Dubara Rasoi Ghar Me Nahi Ghusenge, Aur Pani Nahi Piyenge. Maadarchod Chamar Log, Hamare Bachhe Kya Tum Logo Ka Chua Pani Chuyege?”

8. Kuber Sahu and Samaru Kewat dragged him holding Kapurchandra’s hair and draw him across the wall. Again they abused him using derogatory insulting and abusive language; most of them cannot be mentioned in this report.

9. They also threatened that he should be within his aukat or else face the consequences of driven off the village. Further if the girl tires to enter the kitchen then she would be kicked out of the school.

10. Meanwhile Kamala Chauhan had moved a request application on the matter to higher authorities within educational department. In her application she had mentioned, the cook in support of the Sarpanch has indulged in untouchability and discriminative practises inside the school premises. Apparently she mentioned that the Sarpanch has instructed her to prevent the Dalit children from entering the kitchen. Instead of resolving the arisen situation the authorities under pressure from political front compelled to transfer her from that school to another school at a distance of about 12 kms. Technically it is said as an “arrangement”, but in real terms it is simply a transfer. Perhaps the fear is that she being a Dalit is sensitive towards the issue and could expose the vibrant untouchability.

11. Kapurchandra Hiyal as well as Nirmal Kurre and Dararam Kurre, fathers of Jitendra and Nageshwar respectively filed a complaint with the SC/ST special police station in Mahasamund. These complaints were refused by the local police station at Pithora saying that it is a matter of SC/ST that could be dealt by special police station only. However no investigation or action on these applications had taken place as of yet.

The investigation team also observed the following during the fact-finding.
1. During the initial surveillance the investigation team had observed that there are clear instances of untouchability in the village even within the school premises during the mid-day meal distribution.

2. Another thing that the team had observed is that the Dalits in this village are living under fear and some sort of terror. This certainly is against the constitutional right to freedom by all means. A caste based hostility and antagonism rove in the entire village for no doubt. All the members observed this during the visit.

3. The fact that there is discrimination in the mid-day meal scheme is really stunning. In fact this is against the Supreme Court order. In other words it is a contempt of court.

4. There is certainly a political rivalry between Shankar Sahu and Kailash Agrawal pertaining in the village. However it is not clear why the Dalits are being targeted for that purpose.

5. It was also established that issues of untouchability and casteism had remained in this village even before the present panchayat body came in being. The resolution of 7th July 2005 as well as the statement of Gita Hiyal proves this fact.

6. The extents of humiliation and dishonour faced by the Dalit children are unexplainable. However when they say that they have a dislike for going to school the certain degree of mental trauma could be understood.

7. Transfer of Ms. Kamala Chauhan is only due to the fact that she stood against the untouchability and supported the Dalit children. This is simply unethical that a government employee is targeted for taking a right position.

8. It is also observed that despite the fact that women are made as Sarpanch of the panchayats, it is their husbands who operate in real. During the investigation the Sarpanch pati told the team that, “although she is the Sarpanch, since she is incapable I am dealing some of the things”. Later he changed his own statement contenting that he is helping her in the matter of administration.

9. The team also detected that the present Sarpanch and their clique are much involved in perpetuating untouchability to the worst level. The fact that they become violent with the media persons a few days earlier stratifies this by all means.

10. It seems that the SC/ST special police stations are just defunct for the Dalits. This is a common observation about most of the SC/ST police stations in Chhattisgarh. These police stations perhaps waits till some major incident takes place after which they play a crucial role to neutralise any such cases to the best possible way. That is why neither any investigation nor any preventive steps have been taken for this long in Bhokludih case.

Sir based on these facts and the given situation we would like to put forward these demands so that justice is ensured and the trust reposed on the Constitution of the country is not distrusted and Dalit human rights are protected in its best form.

1. Under the above mentioned circumstances we request for an impartial investigation into the whole incident of Bhokludih. All forces with the intention of political gain and drawing political mileage should be kept away from the investigation process. However the Dalit organisations engaged in this process should be involved and consulted in this case in view of holding a fair and just investigation.

2. Contempt of court is gross crime and this is what has happened in Bhokludih with the discriminatory action during mid-day meal. Whoever had committed such a crime should be brought under the grip of law. Therefore we urge the learned commission to take immediate action in this case so that the rulings of the apex body of justice is not violated and anyone who dares would be punished.

3. We urge to instruct the police to investigate the whole matter and take essential steps to frame the case in a proper manner against the untouchability perpetrators mentioning all appropriate sections and clauses in this matter so that justice is done to the Dalits and no one again dares to do the same in future.

4. The state government should also be directed to take precautionary measure of preventing such incidences on Dalits.

5. Using of derogatory language should be banned and considered to be a heinous crime by all sections of law.

6. We appeal before the learned commission that a fraternal atmosphere should be built in the school where the students could study without any fear, inferiority complex and discrimination. Otherwise all songs of glorification of Dalit development will just a tuneless song when Dalit boys and girls are forcefully pushed out of education like this in Bhokludih.

7. Ms. Kamala Chauhan should be reinstated in her old work place, Bhokludih, where she had worked for nearly 10 years. It is unethical to transfer a government official under political compulsion or as political target.

8. The whole matter should be investigated and the character of the panchayat Sarpanch should be investigated so that it could be cleared in detail, however in such a case it is also suggested that the present Sarpanch should be suspended until the investigation is on otherwise there is a greater chance of manipulation of any such process.

9. The role of the cook Tilak Moti needs a close scrutiny since she is the one who had kept untouchability alive in the school premises. As per the Supreme Court norms a Dalit cook be appointed in the school to avoid untouchability practises.

10. The nebulous and tardy approach of the local police should also be investigated properly and if established that the police was wrong on their part in not taking necessary action then they should be suspended promptly, then only it will serve as a symbol against betrayal of Dalits.

11. If the SC/ST special police station is unable to take action, then there is no meaning in keeping it alive. Just dissolve it. Otherwise turn it lively in favour of the depressed classes. Or if it is the concerned officer who is obsolete and useless not taking action, then remove them or suspend them from that position without any further delay.

Sir, we are hopeful that you would take the needful action in this case.

Thanking you,
Sincerely yours,

Goldy M. George

The entire fact finding report can be href="http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2005/images/Fact_finding_report_of_Bhokludih.pdf">downloaded here

Contact: Karbala Para, Behind State Bank of Indore, G.E. Road, Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492001
Contact Tel: +91–98933–57911, Contact E–mail: dalitstudycircle@yahoo.com

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