Source Credit: Deccan Chronicle
In a landmark decision, a special SC/ST court at Nalgonda, Telangana, sentenced 17 persons to life imprisonment for their part in brutal crimes against members of the Dalit community. The court found the accused guilty of involvement in an attack that was perpetrated many years ago, where a group of Dalit individuals suffered extreme violence against their personhood and other basic human rights. The case generated a lot of outrage in the region and brought to the fore the demand for tougher laws against caste-based violence.
In 2018, the accused allegedly attacked a number of Dalit families in a remote village of the Nalgonda District, leaving the victims crippled and scarred for life. This attack was apparently rooted in long-standing caste-related animosity. The victims suffered brute force and intimidation, which resulted in long and painful legal proceedings. The case drew instant media attention, with activists and organizations rallying behind a campaign for immediate justice for the victims.
The SC/ST court highlighted the move for stricter action where caste-based discrimination and violence are concerned. Such acts, as the SC/ST court noted, tarnish the dignity of individuals and therefore threaten the very social fabric of the community. Hence, the sentencing is viewed as an important step toward meeting out justice to those on the margins while sending out a powerful message in regard to atrocities based on caste. The victims' families expressed relief and satisfaction over the decision of the court, hoping that this would deter such incidents in the future.
