Dalits cry for justice in Bihar politics

JHANJHARPUR: While the BJP in Bihar nurses self-inflicted wound following VK Singh's `dog' remark, two dabang RJD nominees express sheer disdain at allegations of atrocities on Dalits against them here in Mithilanchal.

RJD candidate from Jhanjharpur Gulab Yadav's election affidavit says he faces charges of rape (Sec 376 IPC) and under the SC-ST (prevention of) Atrocities Act.

When this correspondent met Gulab on his campaign trail at Khadakh village, the two-time block pramukh boasted how he got elected uncontested. None dared fight him.

"This is a backward versus forward contest," Gulab said. "Everyone apart from Brahmins is backward," he added, turning towards his cavalcade after a motorcycle ride through the village.

Pitted against BJP's three-term MLA Nitish Mishra, a former Nitish minister, Gulab was dismissive: "Mishra won on Nitishji's name.I'm prepared to take the responsibility (of MLA) now." Jhanjharpur votes on November 5.

Reminded of the cases against him, Gulab retorted, "Case khatam hai...gar-gawahi ho gaya (evidence has been noted)...ab bus judgment hona hai." He dismissed the charges: "They managed to get a confession under section 164 CrPC recorded against me."

Social activist Deepak Bharti, who took up the cause of the terrified Mahadalits, claimed: "In 2006, two minor musahar girls were kidnapped and raped at Gulab Yadav's brick kiln. I provided safety to the victims in Patna, organised the community to protest. Gulab went to jail."

Gulab said he was out on bail from Patna HC and insisted: "Case ka noticey nahi mila thaa. Sab jhuthh hai...kuchch nahi hai isme." If convicted, he'd have to resign his seat, that's if he wins.

Is Gulab symptomatic of the `Yadav raj' that had gripped the state during the LaluRabri tenure, the era Lalu seeks to revive with his Mandal-2 call? He isn't alone. In 2000, the ruling Yadavs were forced to sack MoS for cooperatives, Lalit Yadav, after a TV channel exposed a month-long torture of two Dalits -his truck driver Deena Nath Baitha and cleaner Karu Ram. They were held captive in Lalit's Patna bungalow after his truck went missing near Hajipur.

The victims were allegedly thrashed mercilessly, their nails pulled out with pliers and they were forced to drink urine as the oppressors laughed. Lalit seeks a fifth term on an RJD ticket from Darbhanga Gramin constituency with a clean slate.He was "acquitted" in 2001 following a compromise with the Musahar Dalit families.

Lalit's acquittal may well be Gulab's beacon of hope as this correspondent found out in Kamaldaha Mushari tola in Madhubani's Lakhnaur Block on Sunday .

"Sulahni bhai gail (there's been a compromise in the Dalit girls' rape case)," Urmila Devi, 70, said with resignation.

"The girls are now married, and have children... Ismey ab maatha lagaana bekar hai (useless to rack brains on this now)," said Dasrath Sada, a musahar. "Paisa nahi liya, apna ijjat ke liye sulah kar liya (didn't take money , we compromised for our honour)."

Said Nitish Mishra, "I wonder if Nitishji will campaign for these RJD candidates."

From uproar and protest to mute and delete: This is the sinister story of bahubali politics and Dalit angst in Bihar.