Exposed: Government women’s college built on the land of a Dalit woman, her rights were snatched with the connivance of the government and administration!
Posted on by Dalit Times
Rajsthan: The story of the struggle of Sita Devi Harijan, a Dalit woman in Ladnun, Rajasthan, not only highlights the issue of social justice today, but also shows how the government machinery and administrative system play an active role in crushing the constitutional rights of Dalits. The controversy over the Government Girls College built on Sita Devi’s land proves how the powerful class uses its power to deprive the poor and weaker sections of justice.
The bone of contention: Whose land, whose rights?
A total of 27 bigha 16 biswa land of Khasra number 1548, 1587 and 1587/1 of Ladnun, which is known as Barani Awal agricultural land, is originally the property of Sita Devi Harijan. She made her living by farming on this land. But under a conspiracy, this land was declared as Anandpal Singh’s “torture house” and “bunker”. The administration seized it and forcibly got Sita Devi and her family to sign blank papers by threatening them. It was alleged that Anandpal had got the land transferred in his name by threatening Sita Devi, while the reality is that this land never belonged to Anandpal.
College construction: A blow to Dalit rights
The Government Girls College was earlier being run from the Jauhari Government Higher Secondary School building. But on 14 December 2024, it was shifted to the disputed land located on NH-58. This is the same land which Sita Devi has challenged in the Rajasthan High Court in her fight for rights. Despite the matter being pending in the court, the administration started construction work on this land and now the college is being run there with 251 girl students. This move is not only a violation of the rights of the Dalit woman, but also an interference in the judicial process.
Conspiracy to call it “Anandpal’s bunker”: What is the truth?
This land was publicised as “Anandpal’s bunker”. It was alleged that Anandpal used this land for his crimes. But investigations revealed that Anandpal had no connection with this land. His ancestral house is in Sanwarad village, and he also has a separate house in Ladnun. The crops grown on this land and Sita Devi’s years of hard work testify that this land was only a means of livelihood for a farmer family. The allegation of the so-called “torture house” was merely an attempt to make this land controversial and eliminate Sita Devi’s rights.
Dalit woman’s struggle story: Knock on every door
Sita Devi tried at every level to get her land back. She appealed to the Tehsildar to the Divisional Commissioner, but her plea was ignored everywhere. When there was no way left, she knocked the door of Rajasthan High Court. The High Court has fixed 19 December 2024 as the date for hearing the case. But even before that the administration started operating the college.
Government’s role: Anti-Dalit mentality exposed
The Rajasthan government, which talks about the upliftment and rights of Dalits, seems to be adopting a completely anti-Dalit stance in this matter. The law clearly states that the agricultural land of Dalits cannot be purchased by upper castes or other classes. But in this case, bypassing the law, the administration occupied the land and converted it into a government institution.
Violation of judicial process and constitutional rights
This case is not just a violation of the rights of a Dalit woman but is a direct violation of Article 17 (abolition of untouchability) and Article 46 (protection of scheduled castes) of the Constitution. Changing the status of the land while the case is pending in the court is a mockery of the judicial process.
When will Dalits get justice?
This struggle of Sita Devi Harijan is not limited to her land only. It raises the question whether the Dalit community of India will be able to get their constitutional rights and justice? Are the government and administration ready to listen to their voice? This case has become a symbol of the fight for social justice and equality. The court should take a quick and fair decision in this case and give Sita Devi her rights. Apart from this, the government and administration should leave their anti-Dalit mentality and take steps to protect the rights of the deprived classes.
