People's Democracy

UTTAR PRADESH

Dalit Woman Pradhan Killed

Subhashini Sahgal Ali

The violence and brutality of attacks on the poor, on women and on dalits which have all become the hallmark of politics in Uttar Pradesh were very much in evidence in Fatehpur district on December 19.

In the recently conducted panchayat elections, the village of Gauti had elected Ramsakhi as its first dalit woman Pradhan.  She had defeated a candidate who was put up by a landowning Muslim family who belongs to the Samajwadi Party and who had controlled the politics of the village for more than 15 years.  A member of this family had been the Pradhan throughout this period.  When, in the last elections, the seat was declared reserved for a dalit woman, they had
fielded the wife of one of their domestic servants as a candidate.  The entire village had rallied around Ramsakhi because this particular family had a long criminal history and had been responsible for several murders.  Ramsakhi had won the election hands down but had been receiving threats ever since then.  She and her family were given protection by Haji Haroon, a respected resident of the village who was not affiliated to any political party but who supported Ramsakhi’s courage and determination.

In the evening of the 19th, around 8-10 members of the family in question pushed open the door to Ramsakhi’s s home and gunned her down along with her husband and one year old baby. 

CPI(M) leaders Narottam Singh and  Gaya Prasad visited the village the next day and, on December 21, AIDWA leaders Zarina, Shanti and Asmat Ara accompanied them to visit the aggrieved family.  The scene in the village was heart-rending.  Ramsakhi was survived by 4 children -- a daughter of 15 years and her three younger siblings.  Their aged grand-parents were also present.

They were absolutely terrified and in a state of helpless grief.  The entire village was sitting huddled around them in mute sympathy and speechless rage.  The floor and walls of the  little home that Ramsakhi had made for her family were covered with dried blood and bits of bone, flesh and hair.

The next day, this writer visited Fatehpur and was able to speak to Haji Haroon who is now fearful for his own life.

Along with AIDWA and CPI(M) members, we held a press conference and also met with the SP and DM.  We demanded compensation, free education and security for Ramsakhi’s children and also adequate protection for Haji Haroon.  Most of the accused were arrested soon after.

The CPI(M) and AIDWA district units have assured the villagers of Gauti that they will campaign for whichever candidate they put up to take Ramsakhi’s place so that her sacrifice does not go in vain and so that her brutal murderers do not succeed in their objective of removing all those who challenge their political supremacy in the village from their path.