Three alleged caste discrimination incidents against Dalits in Gujarat spark outrage

In three separate incidents reported in just three days, Dalit community members were allegedly threatened with social boycott, stopped from drawing water from a village well and forced to halt a wedding procession, exposing the continuing caste discrimination in rural Gujarat despite repeated claims of social harmony and inclusion.

Dalit organisations and community leaders have sought strict action over these incidents from Sabarkantha, Mehsana and Surendranagar districts.

In the first case from Rupal village in Talod taluka, Dalits alleged social, economic, religious and judicial discrimination from anti-social elements.

Dalit leaders submitted a memorandum to the district collector claiming that despite seven complaints and repeated representations filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC ST), no concrete action had been taken so far.

The affected families have reportedly warned of mass migration from the village within seven days if justice was not delivered.

In another incident reported from Madhi village in Vijapur taluka, a Dalit family alleged that a groom was forced to dismount from his horse during a wedding procession on May 10.

Some villagers allegedly stopped the procession and abused the groom using casteist slurs, the complaint states.

The Mehsana District Dalit Organisation has submitted a representation to the collector demanding immediate and strict action against those responsible.

The third incident was reported from Metasar village in Patdi taluka of Surendranagar district, where a Dalit family visiting the village from Rajkot allegedly faced social boycott after attempting to draw water from a village well.

According to officials, the family was allegedly prevented from filling water and later subjected to social exclusion by some villagers.

Following complaints, police registered a case against six persons and launched an investigation.