-- V.B.Rawat, SDF

Babu Lal and his family were attacked by 15-armed non-Dalit villagers in a hamlet of Balli Kripal Pur village, Tehsil Bikapur sub-district, Faizabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India on 8 July 2004. The case of Babu Lal was brought to the notice of National Human Rights Commission and other agencies by an urgent alert raised by Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). Babu Lal was given a house in the Ambedkar village and took possession of this after the intervention of the district magistrate when Babu Lal¡¦s upper caste neighbours would not allow him to enter his house.

After the AHRC report, Babu Lal and his family started the process of moving into the house. However, when the person against whom the report was lodged came to know about this, he threatened Babu Lal and the village Sarpanch Karmpati Devi. Karmpati has stated that after this incident, two police constables went to her residence and asked her to provide a bribe of Rs 5000/- in order to ensure the smooth possession of Babu Lal's land. They threatened that if they did not receive the bribe, then the matter would not be solved.

About six people from Balli Kripalpur village in Tarun Thana of Faizabad district went to a public hearing in Lucknow on 5 and 6 June 2005. The Minister for sports and local MLA Mr. R.K.Chaudhury went to the meeting. The issue was brought to his notice. In writing, he informed the police officials and other authorities to act on this matter.

The situation in Balli Kripalpur is dreadful. The local organisers were greatly troubled by the conduct towards the Sarpanch of the village, who was helpless not only as a Dalit, but also as a woman. Is this the democracy we have been entrusted with? Does it really mean to empower the dalits and women when they are heading village Panchayat?

Meanwhile Babu Lal and his family are optimistic that things will improve for them and they will be able to retain their land.