Dalits under the upper caste heel in Siraha
BHARAT JARGHAMAGAR
LAHAN, JUL 07 - Unable to face constant discrimination meted out by
so-called upper caste villagers, four Dalit families of Ruwale at
Chandrodayapur-4, Siraha, are planning to leave their village.
The ban on the use of a public water well for the Dalit households by
"the elite-caste villagers" forced Dalits to find every possible ways
to lead a normal life being free from social prejudice.
"Here we don't get drinking water even when we are thirsty. So it's
better we move out," said Kanchan Mijhar, a Dalit who has faced
injustice at the hands of people who have self-proclaimed themselves
as upper caste.
Located at the foothills of the Chure Range, Ruwale has 17 households,
largely dominated by the Magar community. The well built by District
Development Office, Siraha, more than 20 years ago is the only source
of water for Ruwale residents. However, Dalit families are not allowed
to go to the well whenever other villagers are around.
The prohibition was enforced from last month, according to the Dalit
families. "The other village members occupy the well for an entire
day," Durga Mijhar said. "Even if we're dying for drinking water we
are forced to keep distance from the well," she lamented.
The worst is they have to face retribution for just getting too close
to the well. Dalits should pay the fine in the form of utensils and
other household objects to the non-Dalit families.
Only recently, people from the Magar community beat up Ganesh Mijhar
and Aitlal Mijhar for tainting the water by merely coming in the
contact of the well.
"Since they belong to the lower caste we do not allow them to use the
well when we are there," said Tej Kumari Ruwale Magar.
Though caste-based discrimination was outlawed in the country some 47
years ago, Dalit families here still face discrimination.
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