Jaipur: Five people have been booked in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district after two Dalit men alleged that they were subjected to caste-based abuse and forced to leave their chairs and sit on the ground during an Independence Day programme at a government school.

The alleged incident took place on August 15 at a government school in Bhakliya village under the Bagor police station limits.

Dalit men allege caste-based abuse

According to the FIR, complainants Rameshwarlal Bairwa and Gopilal Bairwa, both residents of Bhakliya village and members of the Scheduled Caste community, were attending the Independence Day programme at the school.

They said they were sitting on chairs along with other members of their community when five men allegedly approached them, used caste-related slurs and objected to them sitting on the chairs.

The accused have been identified as Balu Vaishnav, Heeralal Sharma, Narayan Jat, Rameshwar Jat and Prakash Jat, all residents of Bhakliya.

The FIR states that the accused allegedly questioned how the complainants could sit on chairs alongside them and asked them to sit on the ground.

When the two men refused to leave their seats, the accused allegedly intimidated and threatened them before forcibly making them get off the chairs.

The complainants alleged that the incident took place in front of schoolchildren, teachers and other villagers, causing them humiliation and mental distress.

The FIR also alleges that the accused threatened to shut down the local Anganwadi centre because two Scheduled Caste women were working there as an Anganwadi worker and helper.

Case registered under BNS, SC/ST Act

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Rahul Joshi has been assigned to investigate the case.

Police said further investigation is underway.

PTI