Fake Caste Certificate Row: Dalit-Tribal Men Resort to Nude Protest in Chhattisgarh

Raipur— In Chhattisgarh's capital, Raipur, male protestors from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe community staged a nude protest on Tuesday. They resorted to this extreme form of protest after various appeals failed to address their concerns. The protestors were demonstrating against the lack of action taken against individuals who had used fake caste certificates to secure government jobs, some of whom even managed to get promotions and retire without facing any consequences.

Despite a High-Level Inquiry Committee report naming 267 individuals involved, only one person faced termination of service. The directive to take action against the guilty individuals was not implemented, allowing those with fake certificates to retire without consequences and even challenge the findings of the investigative committee.

Prior to the protest, Vinay Kaushal from the 'Anusuchit Jati/Janjati Varg Farzi Jaati Pramaan Patra Mamla Sangharsh Samiti' issued a press note highlighting how unreserved candidates were benefiting from reservations intended for the underprivileged sections of society. Although the state government had established a high-level inquiry committee and issued directions to remove employees who obtained their jobs through fake caste certificates, these directions were merely symbolic as they were not enforced.

Youth's Desperation: From Hunger Strike to Nude Protest

The aggrieved youths had initially started a hunger strike on May 16th, but after 10 days, their condition deteriorated, and they had to be admitted to the hospital. Vinay Kaushal alleged that the government showed indifference to their condition, leading them to cancel the hunger strike. However, in order to draw attention to their demands, they decided to stage a nude protest in front of the Vidhan Sabha, with approximately 100 protestors participating.

The protestors were taken into police custody while they were on their way to encircle the state assembly. They intercepted the convoy of Minister Anil Bhediya, holding placards demanding action against the guilty individuals and chanting slogans against Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.