‘Sit on the floor’: Dalits allege they were forced off chairs at Rajasthan school Independence Day function

An FIR has been filed by the Rajasthan Police following allegations that some Dalits were compelled to leave their seats during an Independence Day celebration at a school in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The complaint was made by Rameshwarlal Bairwa, aged 35, and his brother Gopilal Bairwa, 37, who were in attendance at the gathering in their village, Bhakliya, on August 15.

The brothers claimed they were subjected to caste-based discrimination and verbal abuse by individuals present at the event. They alleged that the perpetrators refused them seating on chairs, forcing them to sit on the ground, and threatened to close down the Anganwadi where two women from their community worked. The incident, captured on video by a local resident, shows the Bairwas being questioned and insulted by a group of people, who expressed their disdain for the Bairwas' caste.

They stated that the event was witnessed by schoolchildren, teachers, and other villagers, causing the Bairwas significant distress and damaging their self-respect and social status. The investigation is currently being handled by Deputy Superintendent of Police Rahul Joshi. The Bairwas have provided audio and video evidence of the incident to the police.

They also alleged that the Independence Day function was disrupted by members of the Other Backward Class community.