The horrific murder and gangrape of a 19-year old Dalit girl in Hathras has brought to fore the insensitive manner in which the district authorities have handled the situation, resulting in large-scale protests in several parts of the state as well as in Delhi. Instead of recording the facts as they took place, it is evident that there was an attempt to hush up the case with the clear intent of sheltering some of the accused. However, the countrywide outrage and condemnation has compelled the Uttar Pradesh government to appoint a Special Investigation Team to go into the circumstances as well as the details of this gory incident. The constitution of the SIT at a late stage indicates that the administration is aware of the ramifications this case could have.
The ghastly crime has given political leverage to some of the Opposition parties who are using it to highlight the series of rapes that have rocked Uttar Pradesh during the past few months. Although state elections are some time away, politics has started with leaders cutting across party lines demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This is one demand that is not going to be conceded and whether it is Mayawati, Chandrashekhar Azad of the Bhim Sena or both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, they will have to prepare themselves for a lengthy struggle if they have to identify themselves with the common people.
The BJP had won the last polls in the most convincing manner and virtually all the Opposition parties were rejected by the people in most of the regions. However, winning and losing is part of the game but political activity should never aim at dividing people but at uniting them. The BJP has been pursuing divisive politics for long, and now these Opposition leaders in an attempt to woo Dalits are pitting them against some of the upper castes. The Dalits have been oppressed in various parts of the country for centuries but despite being better organised now, they continue to be made victims by some castes which consider themselves to be superior. Even amongst the upper castes, differences have come up between the Brahmins and Rajputs. The Brahmins believe that the Rajputs were the favoured lot since they belong to the CM’s caste in the same way as the Yadavs were during the Samajwadi party rule.
In the latest instance in Hathras, what the administration failed to anticipate was the anger that was generated reminding people of the equally horrendous 2012 incident of Nirbhaya in Delhi. The least the government can do is to provide the victim’s family full police protection since the trial is going to be a longdrawn affair and the close relatives of the deceased woman will be at risk. It is not uncommon in UP, as in some other states, that the witnesses are eliminated and crucial evidence destroyed before the trial. The accused should be denied bail so that the family gets justice. The district authorities must be held accountable for the lapses.