Kamal Nath's fresh worry: Attacks on Dalits in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: Atrocities on Dalits in Madhya Pradesh, where Mayawati's BSP is supporting the Kamal Nath-led Congress government, is hogging the headlines now.

In a week's time two such incidents have been reported from the state, where the BJP is busy plotting to topple the government with the support of independent MLAs.

In the first incident, a Dalit woman, harassed and bullied by sons of a farmer of a dominant upper caste over land related issues, set herself on fire at Ginjara village under Nagod police station in Satna district three days ago. The spine-chilling incident took place in Baghelkhand, a region no stranger to land disputes.

A day earlier, a tribal woman, Kiran Kol, was crushed under a tractor in Dillhari village of Singroli district over land-related issue in the same region, where fights over land issues, some turning ugly, are also a way to assert supremacy.

From law enforcing agency perspective, the two shocking incidents may be just a crime and all statistics. However, social scientists look at the problem differently. They say it speaks a lot about many things. APS Chouhan, a professor in Jiwaji University, Gwalior and JNU alumnus, views such incidents as infusion of violent values in the society. He says, “Whenever reason fails, people get involved in violent acts.”

In Singroli district case, the three accused, including father and son duo, like Satna district incident, were influential and wanted to usurp less than one acre of land the poor tribal family was tilling and was in possession of (kabja) for more than 30 years.

In Satna district, the woman Radha Ahirwar’s relatives had alleged that the three accused, who own a piece of land near the Dalit family's plot, had set her on fire. Incidentally, a brawl over fencing took place in the presence of a woman official. Later, after sharp exchange of words, the accused allegedly used abusive language and misbehaved with her. Feeling slighted over the treatment, the woman rushed to her house and came out with a kerosene bottle. The incident turned ugly when the woman in a fit of rage, poured kerosene over her and set herself on fire.

Police say the matter is solved. IG (Rewa) Chanchal Shekhar said, “It is a case under Section 306 (abetment to suicide). The son of the victim gave his statement before the judicial magistrate.

Nagod police station in-charge Manoj Soni had said, “A case was registered following a complaint from the victim’s relatives. Police search operation is on to track and arrest the accused, who are on the run.”

Tapan Mohan Mohanty, professor of sociology in NLIU, says, “The two cases are not stray incidents. These are signs of rising tendencies of violence, intolerance and instant gratification in the society. Consequently, the greed for money, false pride and pleasure from violence are taking precedence over civility, rule of law and chivalry. The issues need to be addressed seriously and there is need for sensitization, education and, if required, implementation of stringent legislation.”

According to a journalist from the region, “Such incidents are more in nature of a class struggle.”

Political observers feel that the BSP may ask the government to put an end to such cases as Mayawati's party is banking solely on Dalit votes.

Attack on Dalits is a cause for worry for Chief Minister Kamal Nath as this may anger the BSP and the BJP may be happy to use this opportunity to win over the independent MLAs.

With 114 MLAs, the Congress has majority in the 230-member House as four independents, two BSP MLAs and one SP member support it.

In terms of numbers, Congress is ahead of the BJP by just five more seats.

The BJP had 109 MLAs but the number reduced to 108 after Jhabua MLA G S Damor resigned from the post last month after being elected from Ratlam Lok Sabha seat.

A few statements from senior BJP leaders and the ruling Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh this week had fuelled speculations that the saffron brigade has now set its eyes on the central India state after its success of 'Operation Kamala' in Karnataka.

A day after the Karnataka drama, Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Gopal Bhargava had caused sensation in the state Assembly saying, "Hamare oopar wale No. 1 ya No. 2 ka aadesh hua to 24 ghante

bhi aapki sarkar nahi chalegi." (If there is a signal from our No. 1 (Modi) or No. 2 (Amit Shah), your government won't survive 24 hours).

To this, chief minister Kamal Nath said that the government would last its full term and his government is ready for a floor test.