Dalit leaders have reacted sharply to the Bombay high court’s decision to reduce the punishment awarded to the six convicts in the Khairlanji massacre.
Dalit leaders have reacted sharply to the Bombay high court’s decision to reduce the punishment awarded to the six convicts in the Khairlanji massacre.
“The reversing of the death penalty and not considering the case under the atrocities act is absolutely unjust,” said Bhalchandra Mungekar in a written note. “The ruling will encourage the perpetrators of the crime and this would render the act meaningless.”
Renowned American-born Indian scholar and Dalit activist Gail Omvedt told DNA that the verdict was proof that special Indian courts should tackle cases of atrocities separately. “Most of the courts in India are not sensitive to instances of atrocities on Dalits, women and other minorities. There is a need for reservation of courts to tackle these issues. Here was a case where a Dalit family was massacred by members of the upper caste, and yet the verdict was not just,” said Omvedt.
The popular perception is that the police aren't open to filing complaints under the atrocities act. In fact, after the massacre, it came to light that the district committee which should have been set up in Bhandara to assess the complaints filed by Bhotmanges, never existed.
Opposition members say that even after this incident, the state machinery is not in place. “Look at the facts before the massacre and thereafter,” said Neelam Gorhey, spokesperson of Shiv Sena.
“The local district and state machinery was not in place. Bhotmanges only had the atrocities act as their means of support, but the police refused to lodge a complaint. This was before the killings.”
Gorhey said the incident reflected on the political insensitivity, violation of human rights and the deprivation of right to live.
According to academicians, the court’s verdict would send out a wrong message to society. “Dalits are bound to feel isolated with such a verdict,” said Surendra Zondhale, head of political science department, Mumbai University.
“They have no political representation and the government has let them down every time. Their only hope had been the judiciary, but this verdict has dashed all their hopes for justice.”
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