Newslaundry Podcast

For the past four weeks, western Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur had been on the boil. What might have begun as a power struggle between the Thakur and Dalit communities in Shabirpur village in Saharanpur, has now become a full blown inter-caste war.On May 5, over 25 houses in Shabirpur were burnt by around 1,000-1,500 attackers from the Thakur community. The spate of violence has already claimed two lives and over 35 have been injured. Since May 9, the Bhim Army, an organisation founded by Chandrashekhar ‘Ravan’, has been accused of instigating the Dalits youth in Saharanpur. His speech at Jantar Mantar, on May 21, was very aggressive in nature.This was supported by the face of the Una Dalit movement, Jignesh Mevani. He saw this as a positive aspect. According to him, certain casteist elements should be given a "physical shock treatment."Chandrashekhar’s whereabouts are unknown after the massive Dalit protest at Jantar Mantar. Mevani elaborates on what makes Chandrashekhar especially appealing as a Dalit leader.