Notice to Banaskantha collector and police superintendent on untouchability in the district

Gujarat Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has issued notices to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Banaskantha district of North Gujarat, after accepting a petition filed by human rights activist Kantilal Parmar, complaining about untouchability in the district.

Parmar, has brought it to the notice of the GHRC that when Tejabhai Baria, an 85-year-old person belonging to the Scheduled Caste, died of old age in Dhaneri village of  Dantiwada Taluka on February 6, members of the upper castes in the district prevented the mourners to enter the crematorium in the village, to perform the last rites of Baria.

The body of Baria was brought in a tractor and to prevent the tractor from being taken inside the crematorium, the members of the upper caste, blocked the crematorium gates by parking vehicles in front of it. For over two hours, the mourners were not allowed inside and they were left outside with the corpse. Finally, the some of the mourners sought police help. On arrival, the police cordoned off the crematorium and ensured that the mourners could enter the crematorium and cremate the body. However, the police did not register any case against the members of the upper caste for their act.

The GHRC has sought an explanation from the Collector and Superintendent of Police on their failure to take action and they have been asked to file their replies by March 25.