Dalits ‘attacked’ over Buddha Katha event in Kanpur

A complaint was registered at the Saadh police station by a local resident, Ram Sagar, who alleged, “Around 2 am on December 19, some anti-social elements attacked people sleeping in the pandal. They also opened fire using a rifle and injured Pintu, Nitin, Pankaj…The culprits broke a statue of Sant Ravidas.”

The case was registered under IPC sections for rioting, assault, defiling a place of worship or sacred object, outraging religious feelings and under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Police identified the accused as Chandra Bhan Mishra, Golu Mishra, Shivam Mishra, Jeetu Mishra, Arun Kotedar, Kinnar Mishra, Vishambhar Mishra, and Manish Tewari.

Officials said a nine-day Buddha Katha programme was being organised by local residents in the village and Monday was the fourth day. “According to the complaint, 15-20 people from an upper caste community attacked the people at the programme venue. Local residents claim that they were assaulted with rods and sticks. The group also allegedly fired four rounds of bullets,” said an officer.

Local residents alleged that members of upper caste communities had earlier put pressure on the Dalits to not organise the Buddha Katha event. “They threatened us. We still went ahead, and said that if they have an objection, they can have a conversation with us. A statue of Sant Ravidas was also demolished. They also stole money, some electronic items, cash and a copy of the Constitution,” claimed a local resident.

Kanpur Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Anand Prakash Tiwari said on Tuesday, “The injured persons are undergoing treatment and are stable. We have deployed police personnel, including senior officers, to keep vigil in the village. We have put up a new statue in place of the one that was vandalised.”

In a statement, Tiwari said five people had been arrested in the case. “Senior officers, including me, reached the spot. We have made arrangements for better security, and we will keep vigil round the clock. We are also checking if the incident was part of a conspiracy to disturb the law and order situation in the village,” he added.