In another incident depicting the ugly state of caste discrimination in India, atleast 70 families from Kanudi village in Rajasthan's Barmer district were allegedly prohibited from accessing basic facilities by the dominant Rajpurohit families.
According to an ANI report, the matter flared up after a resident of the village Rawat Ram lodged a complaint with the police against few members of a Rajpurohit family for allegedly posting some derogatory remarks over Dalits on social media sites. Soon after the complaint, the dominant caste allegedly ousted the villagers from the village.
Rampant segregation
The complainant also claimed that the Rajpurohit families have restricted the Dalits from taking water from the common well and also their children were stopped by the dominant caste from going to school.
The police have registered a complaint against 16 members of the village and assured that fair probe will be initiated in the matter. Security has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident. Due to police's interference, the children were also allowed to attend school. However, the Rajpurohit families have denied for such allegations.
Reacting on the issue, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab C Kataria told ANI that action will be taken against those found guilty in the case. "In law, everyone is allowed to live by their rights and if anyone has barred a person of their fundamental rights then I will take action against them," Kataria said.
Dalit dilemma in India rears its ugly head time and again. Even today, 72 years after Independence, they continue to bear the brunt of violence and discrimination. The constitution of India guarantees equality for all, but the deep-rooted caste system in the society has never allowed the Dalits to be treated at par with the "upper castes".
(With inputs from ANI)
