Dalits up in arms over religious rite

KAITHAL, Aug 14: The Dalits belonging to Peedal village of this district have quit drinking water from the village well after a covert pe...

KAITHAL, Aug 14: The Dalits belonging to Peedal village of this district have quit drinking water from the village well after a covert performance of a religious ceremony at the well by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of an adjoining town on Thursday night.

SDM of Guhla village L. P. S Tomar reportedly performed a religious ceremony at the well and dropped some object into it during the night. Thereafter a mob of Dalits assembled at the site, gheraoed and manhandled the SDM without knowing his identity. Tomar was forced to come out of his car and was taken to the sarpanch’s house, from where a police party subsequently escorted him to his house at Guhla.

Some mediapersons who visited the village today found the boundary wall of the well covered with tree branches and a rope tied around it. Several Dalits said that they would drink the water from the well only after the administration enquired into the matter, the water was “cleaned” and the SDM had apologised.

Story continues below this ad

Rani Devi (60) told mediapersons that on Thursday she had seen two persons park their car some distance away from the well. They had proceeded towards the well, lit a diya, chanted some mantras and had dropped an object wrapped in a red piece of cloth.

Some other Dalits said that the SDM might have resorted to some tona (black magic) and the water could therefore be dangerous for them.

They questioned the fact that the SDM had travelled a distance of five km from his town to perform the ceremony. “There are a number of wells in Guhla itself. Why did the SDM come to this place,” asked a Dalit.

However, the SDM has reportedly said that he had gone to the village to perform naag panchami pooja and that he had been “misunderstood”. According to him he was on his way to Kaithal along with his brother-in-law and had decided to perform the pooja in Peedal as it was on the way. He is reported to have said that he had “no intention whatsoever of causing any harm to anyone”.

Story continues below this ad

Former MLA of Guhla Amar Singh Dhanda, who was also present at the site, said that the water should be cleaned keeping in view the sentiments of the Dalits.

About 60 Dalit families live in the village and some villagers said that the SDM had “contacts” with some tantrik and he must have performed the ceremony on his advice.Mange Ram and Om Devi, panchayat members of the village, demanded a thorough enquiry into the matter.DC Jaywanti Sheekand said that she had ordered an enquiry into the matter.

According to SHO of Guhla police station Chander Pal Singh, he had taken a police party to the village on receiving a telephone call from Peedal. He had found the SDM and his brother-in-law at the sarpanch’s house where 50-60 villagers had also assembled. The police party had escorted the SDM and his relation to Guhla, he added.

Cyclone Montha: Schools closed, fishing activities suspended in Andhra, Odisha

India10 min ago

A severe cyclonic storm, named Montha, is expected to make landfall along India's east coast between Odisha and Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued warnings for heavy rain and rough seas, with the potential for extremely heavy rain in certain areas.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS