Dalits avenge discrimination by upper caste
Dalits avenge discrimination by upper caste
Despite strict laws and social reforms, there seems to be no end to caste discrimination. In an incident reported from Jamgaon village under the Boden police limits of Nuapada district, dalits of the village have allegedly been prevented from carrying the ceremonial vases filled with water and paddy in a Kalas Yatra held during celebration of the Ram Navami on April 10.
According to dalits, the village as a whole decided to celebrate the Ram Navami with participation of people of all communities, including dalits. All dalit families contributed financially equally as decided in a village meeting. "But when the decision about organising the Kalas Yatra was made, they said dalit women would not be allowed to carry Kalas because the water and paddy would be impure
“It was quite defamatory for people of our community, but instead of becoming reactionary we decided to boycott all socio-cultural functions and rituals in the village," said district president of Domb-Gana Samaj Fakira Jagat. As a consequence, the Ram Navami celebration was held without participation of dalits.
The decision to bar dalits from participating in socio-cultural functions, however, created difficult situations for non-dalit families. For example, when the dalits refused to play drums and music in the marriage ceremony of an upper caste family, it became very difficult for performing different rituals. The upper caste family approached dalit drummers of Chhattisgarh, who also refused to perform as they were already informed about the local incident of discrimination.
The upper caste people felt humiliated and became revengeful but could do no harm as police under the supervision of Khariar SDPO intervened immediately. The upper caste people had to pacify themselves and made a compromise. They promised that the discrimination would not be repeated in future. The drummers arrived, participated and the marriage was held.
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