Dalit-Thakur clash in UP: Dalits threaten to embrace Islam alleging biased attitude of police

Aligarh: In protest against the alleged biased attitude of the police, on Sunday, 49 Dalit families of a village in western UP threatened to convert to Islam. During the violent caste clashes, more than 10 people injured.

According to the news published in Hindustan Times, protesting against the alleged harassment by upper-caste Thakurs and police, families in Keshopur-Jafri village of Aligarh district immersed idols of Hindu deities in a public pond.

After the clash between Dalit and Thakurs, police arrested many people from both the sides but Dalits were not satisfied as the main alleged accused, a Thakur is free and reportedly threatening Dalits.

Dalit Chandra Veer Jatav said that dalits decided to embrace Islam as despite they lodged complaints with the district administration, officials are reluctant to take action. Another Dalit Hari Singh Jatav said that children and women are unable to go out due to fear of Thakurs and police harassment. He threatened that if this injustice continues, they will convert to Islam on Friday.

After the threat, Pankaj Verma, Sub-divisional magistrate assured that police will take impartial actions.

Meanwhile, talking on the issue, Rajesh Pande, SP said that threat to convert is a pressure tactic. He further said that some people are misguiding dalits for political mileage.