Plaint alleging discrimination registered

Siraha, November 14

A complaint alleging discrimination was filed at Siraha District Police Office today.

As per the complaint, disrespectful treatment was meted out by the so-called upper caste people during a feast in Kabilas village in Sukhipur Municipality-4 of Siraha. A complaint was filed against Upendra Yadav, Ramchandra Yadav and Ramprit Yadav and their group.

“It was Saturday evening when a group of over 100 persons from the Dalit community, including locals Sinheswor Mochi and Chandradev Praswan, who were invited to the feast were preparing to take food when Upendra and his group seized the food, and scolded them, saying how come the Dalits had the audacity to eat food in the yard of an upper caste family,” said Shubha Narayan Yadav, a local.

The family of Nandakishor Yadav had invited around 2,000 villagers, including members of the Dalit community to take part in a feast marking the 13th day ritual of his deceased father.

The caste-based affront became public when the victims reached the District Administration Office yesterday seeking justice. They shared their ordeal with Chief District Officer Gopal Kumar Adhikari. They then reached the police office following the CDO’s advice.

Shukhipur Municipality-4 Chair Ramlobhit Yadav sought punishment against those involved in the affront in the name of caste. As per prevailing practice, Dalits, if invited to participate in rituals of the so-called high caste families, are often served after others finish eating.