Dalits stopped from hoisting flag on Independence Day

Dalit women were not allowed to unfurl the national flag at a number of places in Madhya Pradesh.

Sarpanch, Meera Ahirwar, reached Bhabukakari panchayat in Rahatgarh (Sagar) on August 15 but was forced to leave without hoisting the flag. Her husband was beaten.

In Rahli, another Sarpanch Kusum Rani was not allowed to enter Chandrapura village for the independence day programme, just because of her belonging to 'lower' caste.

In Malthaun, Dalit janpad president was refrained from hoisting the tricolour at Rajshahi fort. The tradition was broken because of his caste. In Syavan village panchayat in this block, Sarpanch Mihilal was also humiliated and made to stay out of the function by the local strongmen belonging to upper castes.

Discrimination with Dalits is nothing new. But the existence of caste prejudices that prevent a Dalit from hoisting flag in 21st century, 63 years after we achieved freedom, is really shocking. However, there is no strong action from the state government as yet.

Discrimination with Dalits in CM's native village!

The reports that Dalits are denied entry in temples in the ancestral village of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, are shocking and rather than going into denial mode, the party should take corrective measures.

The Dalit families in Jait village told media persons that they were not allowed to step into the temple. "We are told that Chamars can't get inside", said Vaijyanti, a Dalit woman who lives near Chouhan's ancestral house.

Congress has attacked the ruling party over the practice of untouchability. PCC chief Suresh Pachouri has visited the village. National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Buta Singh has also made a tour of the place after the news hit media headlines.

He said that Dalits were made to enter the temple during his visit but it looked stage-managed at. BJP government appears on the backfoot but it should better concentrate on eradicating such social evils. Jait is located in Sehore, a district that borders Bhopal.