After Saharanpur, dalits threaten to convert to Buddhism in Aligarh

Last Updated 21 May 2017, 14:43 IST

Close on the heels of 180 dalit families from several villages in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district, about 500 kilometres from here, embracing Buddhism in protest against their alleged persecution by the police, scores of dalit families have threatened to convert in Aligarh district if denied justice.

According to the reports, the dalits from Keshavpur village in the district on Sunday took out the idols of gods and goddesses from their homes and put them outside the village.

''We will convert if we do not get justice,'' remarked on the of the residents of the village adding that the community members were receiving threats from the powerful Thakurs.

Reports said that there was a clash betweenThakurs and dalits at the village a few days back over constructing drains. Firs had been lodged from both sides and around 20 people had been arrested in this connection.

The dalits, however, alleged that the police were favouring the thakurs and trying to implicate the dalits in false cases.

Incidentally at Saharanpur also the dalit families had converted after clashes with thakurs at Shabbirpur village a few days back during a procession. There also the dalit families had immersed the idols of the gods and goddesses in the river.

The conversions at Saharanpur and the threat of conversion at Aligarh have sent the alarm bells ringing in the government here and the police and other officials have rushed to the two districts to persuade the dalits not to convert.

Dalits were angry with the police over the latter's alleged action against Bheem Sena, a dalit outfit, whose chief Chandrashekhar was wanted by the cops for instigating violence at Saharanpur.

Yogi Adityanath government has drawn flak from the opposition parties over its alleged failure to ensure safety of the dalits. BSP members on Sunday also staged protest during Adityanath's visit to Moradabad.

(Published 21 May 2017, 14:37 IST)

After Saharanpur, dalits threaten to convert to Buddhism in Aligarh

Follow us on