Bulldozing: Its Harmful, not a Democratic Steps for Democracy In Uttar Pradesh

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Bulldozing Lives: Caste Violence and State Brutality in Uttar Pradesh

    Uttar Pradesh has become a site of concentration camps for Dalits and Muslims. The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, popularized by Manu media as 'Bulldozer Baba', openly threatens and murders people from oppressed communities. The double-engine government has ensured nothing but double humiliation, harassment, and oppression of Dalits and Muslims in the State. The State-sponsored violence in UP knows no bounds- Somesh, a Dalit young man aged 17, who was returning home after his high school board exams, was shot dead by the UP police personnel and buried hurriedly against the wishes of his family. The murder and cremation of Somesh is not an isolated case. This once again reminds us of the forceful and undignified cremation of Hathras victims in Uttar Pradesh to get rid of the pieces of evidence. The BJP-led Brahminical government deliberately strategizes violence against Dalits, Adivasi, and marginalized women, while caste Hindus receive protection from the Brahminical administration. This systematic oppression illustrates how the state machinery, dominated by Brahminical ideals, perpetuates discrimination and violence against these oppressed communities, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change and the protection of marginalized voices and their lives.

    Now, once again in Silai Baragaon village of Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, Somesh was killed by the Police bullet during the protest demonstration. The demonstration was owing to the row between Dalits, who wanted to install Dr. Ambedkar’s board and also demanded the installation of Babasaheb’s statue on the disputed public land and that it be converted into a park named after Dr. Ambedkar, and on the other hand caste Hindus of the village opposed the same. On 29th February 2024 Tehsil workers and a Police team reached the site and began removing Ambedkar’s board. This led to a violent conflict between the two communities with UP police aiding the caste Hindu community. Amidst stone pelting and open gun firing by the police, Somesh was shot in the head by the police, and two others got injured. With elections around the corner, this issue was not deemed important enough by the media, politicians, or civil society. The hasty cremation by UP Police against the family’s wishes points towards the eagerness of the UP Police to get rid of the murder pieces of evidence. This explains how Article 19 of the Indian Constitution- which ensures the right to a dignified life is reserved for caste Hindus alone. For oppressed castes, there is no dignity in death and cremation too. We also wish to highlight that the making of Ambedkar parks and the installation of his statues are part of the process of democratisation of public spaces which otherwise only symbolises the hegemony of caste Hindus. This democratisation has an important dimension wherein people from all walks of life can belong to these public spaces and with each other. Dalits have long been attempting this democratisation very assertively but caste Hindus along with State institutions have resisted this process with an aim to preserve their rule of caste.

    Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association mourns the death of our brother, Somesh, and warns caste Hindus everywhere, UP Police and their masters in the government-  You cannot stop the caravan of  Dr Ambedkar’s vision by defacing his portraits and statues. It has long begun and will one day see the light of the day. We vehemently condemn the police brutality on Dalits in Silai Baragaon, facilitated by the UP government. We demand all the 23 accused be booked under relevant sections of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989, and ensure the cases in fast-track court without delay. We also demand immediate inquiry and suspension of all the government and police officials involved in the murder of Somesh. Lastly, we would like to reiterate the demands of Dalits in Silai Baragaon that an Ambedkar Park be constituted and fair and proper compensation be given to Somesh’s family. We appeal to the entire Bahujan Samaj to stand united and root out Brahmanism in all hues and colours in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere.

Jai Bhim!                             Hul Johar!!                 Satrangi Salaam!!!

BIRSA AMBEDKAR PHULE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION