13 deceased from Bahujan Samaj get statues; villages to get libraries

Statues of 13 youths from Bahujan Samaj, who lost their lives in the riots of April 2, 2018 will be established in their villages, along with a library in each village. The statues of the deceased were unveiled on Sunday at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, during a meeting called by the members of the Bahujan Samaj.

The statues will be sent to the villages of the deceased.

Apart from the deceased, youth who were sent to prison during the riots were also felicitated and were presented with the Constitution of India for their efforts in the movement meant to oppose the amendments in SC/ST act.

Last year, 13 youths from the Bahujan Samaj lost their lives during the inter-caste violence after the Supreme Court diluted the provisions of the SC/ST Act, 1989.

While Dalits claimed that the SC order would adversely affect their lives, the upper castes batted for its implementation. The mobilisation of Dalits culminated in violence in many parts of the country.

The protest, however, bore fruit for Dalits as the Union cabinet approved an amendment to the Act to water down the guidelines issued by the apex court.

The event had focused on recognising the youth and followers, who had either lost their lives or were sent to jail.

"While the decision of constructing a library is to ensure that youths of these villages get exposure to literature and learn about the society, the statues will be erected to make sure that the youths are remembered," said Sanjeev Mathur, Conveyor, Satya Shodhak Sangh.

Earlier, the newly elect-Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, withdrew several cases filed against Dalits in the state in April.