Blocked Drains, Denied Dignity: Dalit Family in UP Faces Caste-Based Discrimination

— ✍️ Dr. Krishan Kumar

Firozabad- Despite constitutional safeguards and stringent laws like the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, caste-based discrimination continues to manifest in insidious ways. For Dr. Pardeep Kumar, a PhD holder in Mathematics from Dayalbagh University, Agra, the battle is not just against systemic neglect but also against the silent atrocities inflicted by caste prejudice in his own village.

A resident of Gadora village in Firozabad district, Dr. Kumar, who is specially abled, lives with his family in conditions worse than urban slums, surrounded by stagnant, sewage-filled water that floods their home during rains. The root of the problem lies in a discriminatory practice: while drainage water from upper-caste households flows freely into the village pond, the drain serving the Dalit community is deliberately blocked, forcing the filth to accumulate near their homes.

In Gadora village, Firozabad district, drainage water from upper-caste households flows freely into the village pond. However, the drain serving the Dalit community is intentionally blocked, forcing sewage to accumulate near Dr. Kumar’s home. During monsoons, the stagnant water floods his house, mixing with waste and buffalo dung dumped by an upper-caste neighbor.

The filth has turned the area into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, leading to severe health consequences. Dr. Kumar’s mother and niece recently suffered from dengue, a direct result of the unhygienic conditions.

Despite multiple complaints to local authorities and the Uttar Pradesh government, no action has been taken. “This is not just about dirty water, it’s about dignity,” says Dr. Kumar. “Even with education and awareness, we are denied basic rights because of our caste.”

Academicians and activists highlight that while violent caste crimes grab headlines, systemic neglect—such as denying proper drainage—is an equally brutal form of oppression. “These silent atrocities reinforce untouchability,” says Dr. Krishan Kumar, a scholar on Dalit issues. “Authorities must recognize such discrimination and act under the SC/ST Act.”

The case also exposes the failure of schemes like Swachh Bharat Mission, which promise sanitation for all but remain inaccessible to marginalized communities.

Local officials claim the matter is “under review,” but villagers allege caste bias is delaying justice. Legal experts stress that such cases warrant immediate intervention under anti-atrocity laws.

As Dr. Kumar’s family waits for justice, their plight indicates a harsh truth: caste still dictates who gets dignity, and who is denied even the most basic rights.