By A Mirsab and Afroz Alam for TwoCircles.net,
TwoCircles.net visited Nokha to investigate the story of Delta Meghwal. Within a couple of hours we realized that it is a town still living in 16th century. We call it a town of 16th century because discrimination on the basis of caste & creed still prevails in the town. We found out that untouchability is still practiced by upper caste people in dealing with lower castes.
Speaking with TwoCircles.net a student Abhishek Goyal says, “City has changed but the thinking of people here has not changed. They still practice old discriminatory practices”.
Nisar Muhammad, one of the auto driver from Nokha too asserts that discrimination is prevalent in the town. Regarding Delta’s death he says, “Delta is killed due to her caste. She was a dalit and upper caste people don’t like Dalits to progress”. Mohanlal Dhillad, a Dalit leader shares the same view.
Delta’s friend, who spoke with TwoCircles.net on the condition of withholding her identity says, “There was discrimination with girls in the hostel on the basis of their religion and caste. Even cooks would also differentiate between girls. There were different plates for Dalit students and they were asked to wash their plates”.
“Delta had raised voice against such discrimination and due to her such bravery teachers would dislike her”, she started to weep while recounting her experiences.
Mahendra ram Meghwal, Delta’s father reiterated what her friend said. “Delta had told me that she was very upset there but I did not take it seriously”, he says adding, “I spent thousands of rupees to let her pursue education but now I would request others not to send their girls to colleges where they are harassed and killed due to their lower caste status”.
Social Activist Jugal Hatila says untouchability is still prevailing in Nokha. Giving an example he says, “There are different funeral grounds here on the basis of caste. Dalit’s dead body is not allowed to burn in the funeral ground where upper caste’s funeral is performed. Businessmen here don’t employ Dalits and even if any Dalit try to run his business it becomes very difficult for him to continue”.
He further says that Dalits are not allowed in certain temples. “Some temples had written warning outside specifically not allowing people of some caste but those were removed after I complained to the police”.
Another Social activist Chunnilal Rajasthani says untouchability is so prevalent here that even in Chief Minister’s program different tents are prepared for lower and upper caste people. He says this year on January 26 there was a program of CM Vasundhara Raje at a town 20KM from Nokha where different tents were prepared for Dalits.
“In marriage ceremonies too Dalits are served food separately and are asked to wash their plates. At times they were even beaten up for not washing plates”, Chunnilal describes how Dalits are metted with discrimination in Nokha.
Kailash Moyal, a senior journalist from Nokha says, “Dalits here have progressed and Meghwal community amongst dalit is leading in all respect. Upper caste people dislike their progress and therefore they come up with different ways to harass them”.
People of the town, especially the Meghwal community is very much upset with the college and police alleging that both discriminated Delta even after her death. They allege that after discovery of her body, she was taken to hospital in a Municipality tractor that is usually used to carry garbage and dead animals and that her body was not covered with cloth while it was being transported.
One another fact that irks these people is that her body was not kept in a freezer but was dumped in a corner after it was brought to hospital. The aggrieved Meghwal community now demands for removal of Thanedar Puja Yadav as she did not treat Delta’s body properly after discovery.
Protests
Largely ignored by big media, but Delta’s death has sparked a fire with student oganisations of Delhi, Bengaluru and Rajasthan have taken to the streets to protest her alleged rape and killing.
The protesters in Nokha held placards reading –
‘Arrest Delta’s murderer’, ‘Cancel permission of Jain college, ‘Till Sun and Moon are there, Delta your name would be there’. On April 4, 2016, JNUSU (Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union) gave a call for a protest outside Bikaner House in Delhi and demanded action against the PT coach and the hostel warden.
Different placards were raised – ‘Justice to Delta Meghwal’, ‘Arrest PT Teacher, Warden, COmpliticit principal and police’, ’Arrest the culprits’. Some more placards had a strong message to ruling BJP party – ‘The Farce of BJP’s – Beti Bachao Beti Padhao- RAPE & KILL Dalit minor Delta, Protect her killers!’
Another placard read– ‘BJP Govt. PR exercises, #SelfieWithDaughter Will not Fool Us! Ensure Justice for Delta, Punish Rapists and Murderers’
Muslim Mahasabha – a local chapter of Muslim NGO in Nokha are also raising demand for justice to Delta. Around 9000 Muslims living in Nokha believe demanding justice for Delta is necessary as it is a fight not for her but for all the girls who are oppressed and harassed.
Rahul Gandhi, Vice President of Congress party too visited the family of Delta and assured them of raising voice for the family and demanded CBI probe to unearth the mystery behind her death.
A spark has been lit but can it become a fire that will help annhilate the caste system that discriminates humans on the basis of their birth? Can Delta bring about a change in her death what her parents had hoped she will achieve in her life?
What Delta’s friends and teachers say?
Shravani Chaudhary who spent 20-25 days with Delta in hostel says Delta was a soft spoken intelligent girl who would concentrate on her studies. “She would never indulge into any foul discussions or fight with anybody in college”Chaudhary says adding, “Whoever has done wrong with her should be punished”.
Another classmate Maggi Meghwal says Delta was a squad leader and she knew how to lead a group.
Delta’s other friend Madhu Charak questions why such thing has happened with her? “CBI investigation should be conducted to find truth behind her sudden death,” Charak added.
One more of her friend told TwoCircles.net on condition of maintaining anonymity, “I cannot believe she committed suicide. I am sure she did not die but was killed.”
Priyanka Shrimali, Delta’s teacher says she was a perfect girl who would also participate in extra curricular activities. “Independent investigation should be conducted into her death and culprits must be punished”, Shrimali added.
Expressing her sadness over her death another teacher Rucha Gupta said, “She would have earned good name in the field of education. She was a dedicated student.”
Rajendra Shrimali, Principal supports protests carried by people demanding justice to Delta and says, “I too would have done same thing what her father is doing now. I think CBI probe should be conducted in the matter”.
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Delta Meghwal Death Mystery