Conversion of Dalit family: Baran collector, SP take stock of situation

Kota: Two days after conversion of 12 members of a Dalit family into Buddhism in Bhulon village in Baran district on Friday, collector Narendra Gupta and SP Kalyanmal Meena visited the village on Sunday. The officers interacted with the victim, his family as well as other locals and collected factual reports. Meanwhile, probe into case of thrashing and atrocities with the Dalit was shifted to additional superintendent level officer of Kota IG, office.
"A team of district officials visited Bhulon village on Sunday and recorded statements of the victim, his family as well as people of other communities in the village," said SDM Dinesh Meena, who is also holding additional charge of Chabra.
There are around 200-225 families in the village, including 10-12 Dalits families. Their statements were recorded. They did not allege any atrocity, harassment and thrashing with Dalit families, he said.
It was learnt that the victim along with the other locals of all communities performed aarti at the temple for 4-5 days during Navratri and no one stopped him from doing the same on the day of Navratri, the SDM said.
Victim Rajendra Bairwa and the accused in the matter Lalchand Lodha are neighbours and live at a distance of around 300 meters. They got into a scuffle on the day of Vijayadashami on October 5 due to personal reasons.
It also learnt the victim, accompanied by his two brothers and laced with sticks, approached Lalchand Lodha’s house on the same night and created a scene. However, the sarpanch’s husband Rahul Sharma and a few others reached the spot to mediate to pacify. Meanwhile, victim Rajendra Bairwa fell on stones and sustained injuries, the SDM said.
Action is being initiated against those who provoked the family and created nuisance for public peace. There was no evidence of mass conversion at the spot as was brought into spotlight, said Baran S.P. Kalyanmal Meena, adding the investigation into the matter was now shifted to ASP of Kota IG office, Rajesh Yadav.
Notably, accused in the matter, identified as Lalchand Lodha, has already been arrested after victim Rajendra Bairwa had lodged a report against him on the night of October 5.