Saharanpur violence: Thousands of Dalit activists protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar

NEW DELHI: Thousands of people staged a massive protest on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in against alleged atrocities on Dalits in Saharanpur. The protest was called by an organisation known as the Bhim Army. While demanding justice from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the protestors alleged that the state government was mistreating the Dalits. The development comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of B. R. Ambedkar. "We have no expectation from the government. So many people are in the hospitals not even a person has come there. This government is against the Dalits. We need justice and justice for the people who are lying in the hospitals," ANI quoted a protester as saying. The police had denied them permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. The unions had told police that they expected a gathering of over 50,000 people, which prompted police to deny permission. The May 5 violence in Saharanpur had taken place when a procession by Thakurs, sporting saffron scarves and marking the birth anniversary of 16th-century Rajput king Maharana Pratap, entered Jatav settlements. The Dalits claim they were attacked first. Over two dozen people suffered injuries and a young Thakur died - killed mistakenly by his caste brethren, the Dalits claim. It's alleged that a mob from the Thakur community burned and ransacked 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members from the community. The incident is seen as a sign of rising Dalit assertiveness in the region. Earlier that day, a group of Thakur men wanted to take out a musical procession honouring Maharana Pratap, which had been opposed by Dalits citing lack of permission from authorities. On Thursday, at least 180 Dalit families from three western Uttar Pradesh villages claim to have embraced Buddhism "in protest against the atrocities on Dalits under the Yogi Adityanath government". Residents of Idhari, Roopadi and Kapoorpur in Saharanpur district, 600km northwest of Lucknow, gathered in Mankamau village and threw idols and pictures of gods and goddesses into the Badi Nahar canal to signal their abandonment of their previous faith. On May 14, about 50 Dalit families in Moradabad, 200km east of Saharanpur, too had cited the Shabbirpur violence and threatened to abandon Hinduism if Adityanath did not stop the attacks on Dalits by the "saffron brigade". The incident carries echoes of a milestone protest six decades ago when atrocities against Dalits had prompted Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar to adopt Buddhism with a group of followers on October 14, 1956. BSP chief Mayawati had asked the BJP government to shun "saffron appeasement" and do justice with the people of the state by following what they say. "Murder, violence and playing with law and order has become a common sight in the name of saffron appeasement of the BJP government which has also caused fear and terror among the people," Mayawati had said in a party release. (With inputs from agencies)