Gujarat: 25-Yr-Old Dalit Sarpanch Murdered By Upper Caste People For Winning The Election

A sarpanch of a village from the Dalit community in Gujarat’s Amreli district was allegedly killed by three persons, belonging to an upper caste, who were against his election to the post, as reported by the police.

Jaysukh Madhad (27), the sarpanch of Varasda village in Amreli, was allegedly attacked on Tuesday night by the three men who had earlier warned Madhad not to contest the election that was held last year.

Madhad was called to the house of one of the accused on 28 February. The three men gathered at the place and then hit Madhad with iron rods and sharp objects, Deputy Superintendent of Police (SC/ST Cell) of Amreli, Rajesh Parmar said.

The victim was severely injured, and he was rushed to Amreli civil hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said. An FIR was lodged on Wednesday at Amreli (taluka) police station against the three men, among whom two are brothers.

The three accused have been booked under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common goal) of IPC, and Section 3(2)(5) of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The police are investigating the reason for Madhad’s death.

According to the villagers, Madhad was allegedly threatened by the accused not to contest the sarpanch’s election. However, the seat from where he was elected is reserved for only Scheduled Caste candidates. The accused were yet to be arrested by the police Amreli police.

The Logical Indian contacted the Amreli Police Station, where one policeman informed that one of the accused, Deepu Apabhai, has been arrested, and the police are looking for the other two suspects.

Dalits face rampant discrimination at different levels in the state of Gujarat. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports a 44 percent increase in violence against Dalits, up from 32,712 in 2010 to 47,064 crimes in 2014. These incidents are directed towards reminding Dalits about their status in the caste-based social structure, and ensuring that they remain there.

Where on the one hand we want to prove to ourselves and the world that we are progressive in thought, our actions betray this idea. We request the authorities to take strict action against the guilty and hope that the victim’s family finds justice.

Also read: Dalit Hacked To Death By A Teacher For Touching Chakki