Casteist men came together and attacked a Dalit family, using weapons like sticks and gadda patu. The attackers also pelted stones and tried to break the door of the family's house.
Patan: A minor dispute took a violent turn when the village sarpanch and his associates launched a deadly attack on a Dalit family in Datrana village of Santalpur taluka in Patan district of Gujarat on July 16. The incident started when a Dalit man requested them not to damage the drain constructed in front of his house.
Enraged over this petty issue, the sarpanch and his associates not only used caste-related slurs but also attacked the family members with weapons like sticks and gadda patu. The incident is yet another example of rising caste violence against the Dalit community in Gujarat, highlighting social inequality and the apathy of the local administration.
According to the information given in the FIR, on July 16, around 6:30 pm, Sarpanch Jeevanbhai Savabhai Ahir was removing mud from the road with a JCB machine in Datrana village. During this, Madevbhai Dhawal of the Dalit community requested him not to damage the drain built in front of his house, so that water does not spread on the road and dirt can be avoided. The Sarpanch got angry at this and started abusing Madevbhai, which included caste-related slurs. After this, the Sarpanch attacked Madevbhai with a gadda paatu (a type of tool). When Madevbhai’s family members Muljibhai Danabhai Dhawal, Naranbhai, his wife Upaben, Mayurbhai and Vinodbhai etc. intervened to save him, the Sarpanch called his companions. These included Kishanbhai Jeevanbhai Ahir, Bhachabhai alias Bhappu Patabhai Ahir, Virambhai Savabhai Ahir, Parbatbhai Lalabhai Ahir, Savabhai Lalabhai Ahir, Dalabhai Lalabhai Ahir and other unidentified persons.
These people jointly attacked the Dalit family, using weapons like wood and gadda pattu. In the attack, Naranbhai, Upaben, Muljibhai, Mayurbhai and Vinodbhai suffered serious injuries, especially on the back and head. The attackers also pelted stones and tried to break the door of the family’s house.
The attackers threatened that “today we have escaped, but next time we will kill you.” The injured were taken to the government hospital in Santalpur through 108 ambulance, where they were given first aid. Following this, Muljibhai Danabhai Dhawal lodged a complaint at the Santalpur police station.
The complaint has been filed under sections 3(1)(r) (intentional insult of a person belonging to SC/ST) and 3(1)(s) (using caste-based slurs against a person belonging to SC/ST) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) along with sections of the BNS.
The FIR names sarpanch Jeevanbhai Savabhai Ahir, Kishanbhai Jeevanbhai Ahir, Bhachabhai alias Bhappo Patabhai Ahir, Virambhai Savabhai Ahir, Parbatbhai Lalabhai Ahir, Savabhai Lalabhai Ahir and Dalabhai Lalabhai Ahir.
Social activist Narendrabhai M Parmar from Patan says the incident in Datrana village is proof that caste mentality is still deeply rooted in society.
Caste-based violence against Dalits has been reported repeatedly in Gujarat. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 1,500 cases were registered under the SC/ST Act in Gujarat in 2023, reflecting rising atrocities against the Dalit community. In many cases, especially in rural areas, Dalits are subjected to social boycott, humiliation and violence. Such violence often starts from petty disputes, such as personal lifestyle or participation in social activities.
Geetha Sunil Pillai
Courtesy : Hindi News