Madhya Pradesh: Is eating at a Dalit’s house a greater sin than cow slaughter? A Panchayat decreed bathing in the Ganges and performing the Pind Daan (worship ceremony) for a living father, causing a stir in the administration.
The Panchayat decreed that eating at a Dalit’s house cut off all supplies to the family; pressure was put on them to perform the Pind Daan (worship ceremony) for a living father.
Raisen: A shocking incident has emerged from Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, exposing the harsh reality of caste discrimination still prevalent in society. A man was socially ostracized simply because he ate at a funeral feast hosted by a Dalit family. The victim alleges that the Panchayat not only expelled him from society but also imposed shocking conditions for his reintegration. Given the gravity of the matter, the administration has launched an investigation.
What is the whole matter?
This incident occurred in Piparia Puaria village, Udaypura tehsil, about 100 kilometers from the Raisen district headquarters. This area is also the constituency of Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Health in the Madhya Pradesh government. The case is about a month old, but it came to light during a public hearing on Tuesday.
According to media reports, the victim, Bharat Singh Dhakad, told officials that about a month ago, a ‘Shraddha’ ceremony was held at the home of Santosh Mehtar, a Dalit man in the village. Bharat Singh Dhakad, the village panchayat’s assistant secretary, Manoj Patel, and a teacher, Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi, had eaten at the ceremony.
The Panchayat’s Bizarre Decree: “This is a Sin Bigger than Cow Slaughter”
Bharat Singh alleges that the Panchayat took offense to his eating at a Dalit man’s home. The Panchayat called a meeting and passed a resolution declaring that eating at a Dalit’s home was “a sin bigger than cow slaughter.” The decree stated that whoever committed this ‘act’ would have to purify themselves by bathing in the Ganges and hosting a feast in the village before they would be accepted back into society.
Two accepted the condition, one opposed.
Under pressure from the Panchayat, Assistant Secretary Manoj Patel and teacher Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi agreed to their conditions. They bathed in the Ganga and hosted a feast in the village. However, Bharat Singh Dhakad refused to obey this discriminatory order. Following this, the Panchayat allegedly declared a social boycott against him and his family.
Pressure to perform ‘Pind Daan’ for his living father
In an application submitted to Udaypura Tehsildar Dinesh Bargale at the public hearing, Bharat Singh made very serious allegations. He stated that he was pressured by the Panchayat that if he wanted to be absolved of sins, he would have to shave his head and perform ‘Pind Daan’ (a post-death ritual) for his living father.
Dhakad said, “I and my family are being treated like untouchables. We are barred from entering the temple and are prohibited from participating in any social events in the village.” He named the Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch, and Panchs in his complaint.
Administration and Police Stance
As soon as the matter came to light, the administration swung into action. Tehsildar Dinesh Bargale said, “The matter is being investigated. If the allegations are found to be true, strict legal action will be taken against the culprits.”
Meanwhile, SDOP Kunwar Singh Mukati clarified that insulting anyone based on caste or withholding food and water is a crime. He said, “Preventing someone from attending social events, considering them untouchable, or imposing punishments like bathing in the Ganges and serving them a feast is a punishable offense under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Every citizen has the right to live with dignity. Those who spread social hatred will not be spared.”
Sarpanch Denies Allegations
On the other hand, when contacted, the village sarpanch, Bhagwan Singh Patel, categorically denied the allegations. He said, “Allegations like untouchability are false. If someone is not inviting them to their events due to personal reasons, it is their personal matter.” The Sarpanch also stated that the regional MLA and State Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel had also visited the village and tried to convince the people.
Teacher confesses to ‘purification’
Interestingly, Satyendra Singh Raghuvanshi, the teacher who ate at the Dalit’s house, admitted that after the dispute, he had gone to his guru’s ashram in Allahabad and returned after bathing in the Sangam. He said, “I don’t believe in casteism, so I went to my friend Santosh’s house to eat. Someone made a video and made it viral, which escalated the controversy. I bathed in the Ganga on the orders of the Panchayat and now I have no complaints, nor am I being ostracized.” The teacher has been posted at the village secondary school for the past 16 years.
Currently, the police and administration are trying to get to the bottom of this matter to uncover the truth.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News
