by B. R. GOWANI
on average, every 15 minutes a Dalit becomes a victim of crime
Dalit is the lowest of the lowest in the Hindu caste system
the Indian Constitution has accorded equality to all the citizens
but the laws’ enforcement is the prerogative of the upper castes
most of whom consider Dalits as subhumans or worst
a 9-year old girl goes to crematorium to get water from water cooler
she’s raped, she dies, she’s cremated by her violators
the rapists are an upper caste Hindu priest and three workers
after some time, the worried mother went to the crematorium
she saw her motionless daughter lying on the ground
wet clothes, injured hands and arms, blue lips, blood under nose
she was asked not to report to the police, because
“They would insist on an autopsy and steal her organs and sell them.”
of course, a possibility — it’s a huge business — very profitable
the mother’s refusal to listen to them resulted in threats & bribe-offer
by the time the girl’s father & villagers arrived, the girl was burned
they tried to douse the fire with water but could only salvage her legs
not enough evidence to prove that she was sexually molested
last year a Dalit teen was raped by four upper caste men in UP
this happens regularly, women’s rights activist Suman Dixit says:
“This is not an isolated incident. It’s just that it came to light. Sexual violence against women, particularly those from backward classes, is common in this country and they have to struggle hard to get justice.”
as was expected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mouth remained shut
he’s busy congratulating the girls bringing medals from the Tokyo Olympics
or consoling the ones who failed to get the gold, silver, or bronze medal
Modi to India’s hockey team after it lost the bronze medal to Britain:
“All of you have played really well. You left everything in the past five years, sweating it out for the sport. Your hard work and sweat didn’t get a medal but it has become the inspiration for crores of girls in the country. I congratulate the coach and all of you.”
every organ of Modi is encapsulated with cruelty
a diamond merchant in Gujarat, Savji Dholakia, offered hockey girls
“With incredible pride in my heart, I take this opportunity to announce that HK Group has decided to honour our Women’s hockey team players. For each player who wishes to build her dream home, we will assist ? 11 lakhh [1.1 million Indian rupees or US $14,793].”
his brother’s friend in the US has offered 100,000 rupees or US $1,345
this Dholakia and the US guy wouldn’t even be aware of this tragedy
and anyway, who cares for a loser who lost her life — that too a Dalit
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com