Dalits in Udaipur distt face social boycott

Udaipur, June 10 (UNI) The Dalit Meghwal community is being socially ostracised in this district after they called the police when a bridegroom, belonging to their caste, was forced by villagers to alight from his horse during a marriage procession.

People belonging to Bhindar panchayat samiti in Amarpura village made a Meghwal groom alight from his horse a few days ago The groom later rode the horse to the marriage site in Nimri village under police protection, which enraged the villagers. On June 4, the Meghwal community called a meeting of all villagers. Around 2,500 villagers gathered in Nimri village but the situation turned volatile when a number of other communities decided to socially boycott the Meghwals.

The Dalits have been banned from drawing water from the handpumps and also prevented from using the village 'atta(flour) chakki'.

Grocery shops do not sell products to them and nobody can lend them tractors for irrigating fields.

They are not even allowed to use STD booths. Those who flout the ''rules'' will have to pay a penalty of Rs 5,000.

Villagers say the situation turned ugly after the Meghwal community decided to hold a meeting in Nimri and declared that they did not want to maintain any relations with the villagers.

The villagers became irate when the Meghwals called in the police and administration for their protection.

Bhindar's local BJP leader Magniram Regar said talks are on between the different communities for the last three days to defuse the situation and it is expected to ease within the next few days.

Mr Regar said the administration is providing food and other facilities to the Dalits.

However, Additional Collector N N Lati said members of the Meghwal community have boycotted the local shops.

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