10, Apr 2023 | CJP Team

On March 12, when some villagers were celebrating Holi in Bihar’s Aurangabad, the police reached the spot and started beating up young boys. Their mothers and other women tried to stop the police from beating the innocent boys but were in turn beaten up by the police.

In Bantara village of Devkund police station in Aurangabad, the women then sat on a Dharna seeking suspension of the in charge of the police station for assaulting the boys, mistreating them, manhandling the women and registering false cases against them.

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In a detailed on ground report by NavBharat Times, the publication spoke to the women sitting on dharna, demanding action against the police officers. One woman recounted the incident and said that around 8-9pm some music was being played and the boys were dancing to celebrate Holi. Just then the Police came and started beating up the boys. She said that they gave no reason for why they were being assaulted and when the women went ahead to save the boys, the women were also beaten. The on ground report can be seen here:

Pointing towards the blatant discrimination faced by Dalits, CJP wrote in its complaint, “The denial of basic human rights to Dalits is a grave concern. This incident is a classic example of blatant discrimination and social prejudices against the Dalits. In all probability, the police officer was opposed to Dalits playing music and dancing while celebrating Holi, which is as per certain “upper castes” a privilege only accorded to them and not the Dalits. This is a clear case of caste-based violence.”

The complaint further states that if no action is taken against the police officer who indulged in the violence it would amount to violation of fundamental rights of Dalits against discrimination and prohibition of untouchability.

The complaint also underscores violation of various sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the Indian Penal Code. Through the complaint, CJP seeks inquiry into whether any action was taken against the station in charge after the women sat on Dharna and to check whether compensation was given to the aggrieved families.

The complaint may be read here:

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