By APP,
New Delhi : While India celebrated 117th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Champion of cause of Dalits (lower-caste Hindus) on Monday, three Dalits, tried to immolate themselves to protest against construction of wall debarring them to enter into community hall of a village of upper-caste Hindus in Maharashtra state.
Hundreds of Dalits staged protest against construction of wall by upper caste Hindus preventing residents of Bhimnagar village, mostly Dalits, from entering into the community hall of the neighbouring “upper caste” village, Dare, in Koregaon taluka of Satara district. The Dalits wanted to celebrate Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary at the community hall, as always, The Hindu said.
The Dalits tried to immolate themselves before the Collector’s office but timely intervention by the police saved their lives. About one hundred Dalits were arrested for threatening to immolate themselves but it was prevented by the police. The situation is under control now.
In India, the lower-caste Hindus are facing discrimination of all sorts. The incidents of murder, torture and discrimination against them are reported daily.