The national commission on denotified tribes, nomadic tribes and Semi-Nomadic, which visited Chothai village in Betul district recently, has expressed alarm at the way the members of the Pardhi community were branded “criminal” without sufficient evidence. It has also noted that the police and the administration have perpetuated injustice by choosing not to interfere in the matter.The Pardhi community members were forced to flee the village after the rape and murder of a Kunbi woman allegedly by four Pardhis.Taking note of reports in The Indian Express, the Commission visited the village and Bhopal, where Pardhis have taken shelter since they were driven out last fortnight by an angry mob. The mob also tore down Pardhidhana, a cluster of more than 60 legal and unauthorised houses in the village where the Pardhis resided. Commission Chairman Balkrishna Renke, member Laxmanbhai Patni and Director (research) Dr Meena Radhakrishna, who comprised the Commission’s delegation, returned to Delhi on Monday.The Commission noted that the Pardhis had actually helped the police nab the alleged rapists, who were outsiders. This, however, did not prevent the villagers from chasing them out, said the panel. It was also told that several Pardhi women were subjected to sexual harassment the night before the villagers attacked the settlement. The panel said the villagers also presented themselves as “victims” and accused the Pardhis of criminal activities. They charged the community of becoming a terror for others and said women in the village dared not venture into Pardhidhana. Allegations of beating up cops was also levelled against the community.“Barring cases like theft of crop there were no major offences registered against Pardhis in the last two years and yet they were branded as criminals,” said a commission member. The members also said it did not buy the argument that there were no cases because the police were afraid of Pardhis. The villagers claimed they preferred not to lodge complaints because they were afraid of losing their honour. Assuming that the Pardhis had been involved in crime, the Commission noted, the administration should have strengthened the force. Villagers and their elected representatives told the Commission that they did not want the Pardhis around and even threatened to kill them if they were allowed to return to Chothai. The Commission said as much as it wanted the Pardhis to return to Chothai it was aware of the threat to their lives. It would submit a detailed report to the Centre and recommend measures for the MP Government.
