Like many Indians, their hopes of a good life were basic: a decent education, a life that was lived with self respect and a livelihood which disturbed no one. But in India, Surekha and her family were tortured for many years because they chose to live the "basic life". The reason – because they were Dalits, untouchables in the eyes of Hindu purists whose status are merely better than animals.The incident described is extremely sickening. What is there to say?
On September 29, 2006, in the town of Kherlanji, near Nagpur - a new center of Buddhist movement in India - Buddhists Surekha and her daughter Priyanka were beaten, paraded naked and gang-raped in full public view for an hour before they fell dead.
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We would like to appeal to the international Buddhist community to please use your connections and networks and forward this information to all Human Rights Organizations and Government and Non-Government Agencies.
It is time that the suffering endured by the multitude of Dalits - the so called untouchable caste of India - be highlighted to the international community so that the voice of reason can be pressed upon the Government of India to put a "practical" stop to such inhumane act once and for all.
For more information on how you can help, or to enquire about the Dalit situation, please contact the following:
The Jambudvipa Trust
www.jambudvipa.org
'Manuski', Deccan College Rd
Tel/Fax +91-20-2669 6812 / +91-98506 66479
Yerwada, Pune
411 006, India
The Ambedkar movement
www.ambedkar.org
The village where this incident occurred is variously spelled Kherlanji and Khairlanji. In wonder if it's the same Khairlanji mentioned in this post?
Here is a smattering of news articles and blog posts about the crime and the protests sparked by it:
- The Times of India: Just another rape story
- Atrocity News: Kherlanji Buddhist family Massacred
- Tehelka: Dalits, Like Flies to Feudal Lords (Warning: graphic photos)
- India Daily: 4 Members of Dalit Family Gang-raped and Murdered over Land Feud in Maharastra (Warning: graphic photos)
- Times of India: Dalit killings - Nagpur to face another tense day
- Times Now: Dalit Protests Spread
- DNA India: Nagpur police cane Dalit protestors
- NDTV: Dalit killings: Protestors defy police orders
- AsiaNews: Maharashtra - police disperse Dalit rally by force
And this map from Atrocity News showing the attacks on Dalits and Buddhists in India is simply chilling:
There are 231 rapes and 51 murdered last year. The families are helpless, only hope is help from world community !The government of India must be held accountable for these crimes, which are being committed by its own citizens against its own citizens.Every hour two Dalits are assaulted,
Every day three Dalit women are raped,
Every day two Dalits are murdered & two Dalit houses are burnt in India….”
(Report of the Ministry of Welfare of the Government of India, 1992-1993)
南無阿彌陀佛
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