Defying the denial of permission to hold a protest rally, thousands of Dalits have swamped New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, protesting against the Uttar Pradesh government’s alleged silence on the Saharanpur caste-based riots.
The Dalit leaders spearheading the protest had reportedly approached the Delhi Police for permission to hold an assembly of around 15000 Dalits from Uttar Pradesh to protest against the alleged ‘selective’ police action against Dalits in the recent Saharanpur violence. However, the infuriated leaders decided to go on with their agitation after the administration denied there request.
The protestors, led by a newly formed Dalit outfit the Bheem Army and comprising youths from Saharanpur district and nearby towns, were joined at Jantar Mantar by members of the All India Students Association, student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist).
“We demand cancellation of charges pressed against Chandrashekhar Azad (Bheem Army’s founder member) and strong action against so-called upper caste men who rioted and ransacked Dalit villagers’ property,” AISA National President Sucheta De told IANS.
