New Delhi
Forgive and forget now: Jats urge Dalits
Vrinda Sharma
MIRCHPUR: In a desperate attempt to patch up with Dalits of Mirchpur
and ensure early release of the men convicted of arson and murder, the
Jats of the village held a panchayat here on Sunday and appealed to
the families of victims of recent caste-based violence to embrace
brotherhood and forget the past.
"We are all terrified by the events of that unfortunate day, lives
have been lost and homes have been destroyed but the Valmiki members
of the village must use their right to forgive and forget so that we
can all live in brotherhood," said Balbir Saab.
On the 21st of April this year a mob comprising upper caste Jats set
ablaze over 18 Dalit houses over a minor incident.
Seventy-year-old Tara Chand and his polio-stricken daughter Suman were
charred to death in their home as they could not escape. Police
arrested over 40 people.
While Dalits claim that some of the guilty Jat leaders were never
arrested, the Jats say that those who were innocent must be released
immediately. Asked about his opinion about the punishment for the
guilty, an elderly Jat man said on Sunday, "Brotherhood means no
grudges against anyone. When we all live as one family, we are all
assured of our safety and peace and the dark shadow of past events
will fade away. Village matters must not reach the police and courts;
those must be resolved by mutual understanding and cooperation."
The Dalits complain that they are under pressure to withdraw police
cases and strike a compromise. "We are living under absolute social
boycott. We are not sold milk and our children are scared to go to
school. The Jats want us to take our complaints back and befriend the
men who burnt down our homes without caring for women and children.
Half the Dalit population has already left the village and the others
have packed their bags and they want us to feel grand about ourselves
by forgiving!" said a Dalit, Satyavan.
The deceased Tara Chand's son Pradeep said that until all the guilty
men are punished there can be no compromise and that the panchayat
must stop pressurising the community to forgo their right to justice.
Meanwhile Tara Chand's sons have started working at the Hisar
Secretariat on the posts that the Administration offered them and a
compensation of Rs.5 lakh has been given to the family.
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