Rajasthan Town Gripped by Bandh, Outrage, and Mourning Following Tragic Death of Dalit Farmer

Churu- In the aftermath of the tragic death of a Dalit farmer in the Ratusar village of Sardarshahar, Churu District, the region witnessed a tensed situation on Tuesday marked by closed markets and shuttered shops as residents observed a complete bandh.

The incident unfolded when a Dalit youth was fatally beaten on suspicion of theft in the Bhanipura Police Station area of Sardarshahr Tehsil. Adding to the distress, another Dalit individual who was subjected to assault alongside the deceased is currently in serious condition, undergoing treatment at a local hospital. The repercussions of this incident have sparked upheaval in Churu, intensifying anger within the Dalit community.

The post-mortem has not been conducted nearly 36 hours after the death, as the aggrieved community continues their dharna outside the hospital. Delegates were reported to be in a meeting with Collector Siddharth Sihag, though no results have emerged from the mediation talks. The community remains steadfast in their demands for an ex gratia of 1 crore for the deceased's family, a government job, and the arrest of all the accused.

The incident unfolded when over half a dozen individuals brutally assaulted two Dalit youths on Sunday, suspecting them of stealing electric wires. Responding to the distressing situation, Bhanipura police arrived at the scene, and both injured individuals were promptly admitted to the state hospital.

Tragically, 26-year-old Kanhaiyalal Meghwal succumbed to his injuries late on Sunday evening, while the other youth, Gangaram Meghwal, continues to receive treatment in the state hospital. The Bhanipura police station has registered a case based on the statement provided by the injured.

In the aftermath of this disturbing incident, the Sarva Samaj organized a sit-in demonstration at the hospital on Monday, mourning the loss of Kanhaiyalal and expressing their anguish over the circumstances leading to his demise.

Frustrated with the lack of progress in talks with the administration, the family and villagers took a decisive step by blocking the highway. Their demands included justice for Kanhaiyalal Meghwal's family, financial compensation, employment opportunities, and the arrest of all those accused in the assault.

Public representatives joined the demonstration, echoing the calls for justice and emphasizing the need to address the demands put forth by the grieving family and community members. Under the Sarva Samaj banner, protesters insisted on one crore rupees in compensation to Kanhaiyalal Meghwal's family, a government job for a family member, financial assistance for the injured Gangaram Meghwal, and the swift arrest of all individuals implicated in the assault.

As the day progressed, the agitation escalated, with a significant number of people converging on the highway, causing a blockage and disrupting regular traffic flow. Taranagar MLA Narendra Budania, present at the protest, vowed to ensure justice for Kanhaiyalal Meghwal's family and demanded the apprehension of all accused individuals responsible for the fatal beating. He expressed a firm stance against allowing a culture of lawlessness to prevail in the Taranagar assembly constituency.

Allegations were raised against the police force, with the community asserting that they played a role in shielding the accused individuals. Specific names, including Bilubas Rampura's Sajjan Singh Rajput and Te Jogendrasinh Rajput, were mentioned, along with accusations of video manipulation. The protesters accused the police of suppressing the names of the accused and protecting them from legal consequences.

In response to these accusations, the police claimed to have arrested individuals from Boghera village, including Bharat Singh Rajput, Sumit Sharma, Govind Sharma, and Sanjay Yadav. However, the community remains steadfast in their demand for justice and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault on the Dalit youths.

Trade Grind to a Halt in Sardarshahar

Shivratan Saraf, President of the Sardarshahar Trade and Industry Association, announced a complete shutdown of the main market and agricultural produce market in Sardarshahar on Tuesday in response to the tragic murder of Kanhaiyalal Meghwal.

Indraj Saran, President of the agricultural produce market, affirmed that all grain auctions would be suspended in the Sardarshahar Agricultural Produce Market, causing a halt in farmer dealings. Saran asserted that, if necessary, the market could remain closed for an extended period.

In a strong condemnation of the brutal killing, BJP leader Rajendra Rathore expressed his dismay on social media, stating, "I strongly condemn the heinous act of killing Shri Kanhaiyalal Meghwal in the village of Ratusar in the Taranagar Assembly. Such acts committed by disruptive elements have no place in a civilized society. The consequences of the misrule by the Congress government over the past 5 years are evident as criminals are emboldened. With the change in government, the BJP will take stringent action against criminals. I have instructed the District Collector and other high officials to take decisive action against those involved in this incident. Moreover, after consulting with top government officials, I will make every effort to provide appropriate compensation to the family of Shri Kanhaiyalal Meghwal and secure job opportunities for any family member."

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