People's Democracy

Gohana: CPI(M) Protests In Delhi

AROUND 500 activists and supporters of the Delhi state committee of the CPI(M) marched  to parliament street on September 3  to protest against the burning down of houses of dalits in Gohana, Haryana. The protestors, among whom included a sizeable number of youth and women, called for immediate arrest of all the culprits involved in this heinous crime.

Carrying placards, they charged that the BJP’s anti-dalit  face was exposed with the  alleged involvement of its Sonepat MP, Kishen Singh Sanghwan, particularly of his son. Castigating the total inaction of the administration and the police in preventing this totally pre-planned assault, they demanded the suspension of the DC and SP.

Haryana state CPI(M) secretary Inderjit Singh  charged that it was all pre-planned, while the administration  was a picture of criminal negligence in not even providing security in an atmosphere of terror whipped up against dalits days ago  forcing them to flee. On the day of the burning of dalit homes the police was a classic example of masterly inaction, he said. And amidst chants of Shame, shame, he added that people are suspecting involvement of the local BJP MP.

The CPI(M) central committee member Joginder Sharma addressing the dharna said such atrocities are taking place continuously in Haryana and parts of Western UP and called for mobilising the people against these heinous acts. Pointing out how these are virtually absent in the Left-ruled states, he called for strengthening the Left movement. He criticised the Congress state government of Haryana for failing to provide protection to dalits, despite its tall talk of being their well-wishers. CPI(M) Delhi state secretary Pushpender Grewal also addressed the rally.

The meeting demanded proper compensation and arrest of all culprits and vigilance against rumour mongering brigades striving to thrive on caste polarisation against the dalits.

HOME MINISTER’S ASSURANCE

Earlier, a CPI(M) delegation comprising Brinda Karat, member of the Polit Bureau and MP, Inderjit Singh, secretary of Haryana state committee of the Party and  the affected dalits from Gohana village met the union home minister, Shivraj Patil, on September 2 on the issues arising out of the  incident in Gohana. 

The home minister assured the delegation that on all issues regarding compensation, action against the guilty, he will immediately coordinate with the state government to take action. On the issue of action against SP and DC, he said he will discuss with the state government, inspite of the fact that the delegation pointed out that there was a prima facie evidence against them for criminal connivance. The delegation pointed out to the home minister that even though several days have passed not a single government minister or functionary has visited the grieving family of the 22 years old victim, Balbir Singh who was killed in cold blood. It is essential to give adequate compensation to the family.

The delegation giving details of the subsequent attack on the dalit colony pointed out that it was pre-planned with relatives of the MP of the area attending the panchayat meeting where it was openly declared that the dalits would not be spared. Yet no action has been taken against those responsible. Till today not a single arrest has been made of those responsible for arson, dacoity and loot.

The SP and the DC were present when the crowd was moving towards the dalit colony but even then they took no measures to prevent the attack. This, the delegation pointed out, amounted to criminal connivance. It demanded action must be taken against the SP and the DC. As far as compensation is concerned, government must appoint an officer immediately to collect evidence and make concrete assessment of the loss which amount to lakhs of rupees, it demanded. (INN)