27 Gujarat Villages Under Police Protection for Over a Decade Due to Caste and Communal Tensions

27 Gujarat Villages Under Police Protection for Over a Decade Due to Caste and Communal Tensions

27 Gujarat Villages Remain Under Police Protection for Over a Decade: RTI Reveals Deep-Rooted Social Issues

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – An RTI (Right to Information) response has unveiled a disturbing truth about the ongoing caste-based and communal tensions in Gujarat, with 27 villages across the state still under police protection. Some of these villages have been under surveillance for more than a decade, reflecting the state’s struggles to address deeply entrenched social divisions.

The RTI application, filed by advocate Kaushik Parmar from Mehsana, sought details on the number of villages in Gujarat that continue to receive police protection due to violence or social unrest. The state police’s response, received on March 21, reveals that these villages are still considered volatile due to caste-related or communal disputes, making it unsafe for residents.

Among the villages highlighted in the RTI response is Lolia in the Bagodara taluka of Ahmedabad, where police have maintained a presence since July 1, 2013. The reason behind this prolonged security is linked to a tragic incident where a Dalit man was murdered following a dispute over open defecation. The altercation escalated into a violent conflict, resulting in the deaths of two family members of the victim. Despite the passage of nearly a decade, the local authorities continue to consider the village too volatile to lift the security measures.

Ongoing Caste and Communal Tensions: A State of Fear

The issue of caste-based violence has remained a pressing concern in Gujarat. Mota Samadhiyala, a village in the Una taluka of Gir-Somnath district, gained national attention after the horrific 2016 Una flogging incident. In a barbaric act, four Dalit brothers—Ashok, Vashram, Bechar, and Ramesh Sarvaiya—were publicly stripped and flogged by self-proclaimed ‘gaurakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) for allegedly skinning a dead cow.

The incident sparked widespread outrage and even made it to the Lok Sabha, where it was debated as a severe violation of human rights. The RTI response revealed that Mota Samadhiyala is still under police protection due to the persistent security threats and tensions that remain unresolved after the attack. The security presence in the village reflects the state’s failure to address the root causes of such violence and its ongoing impact on vulnerable communities.

These incidents are not isolated cases in Gujarat. Gariadhar in Bhavnagar has been under constant police protection since 2018, following violent clashes between Savarna (upper-caste) and Dalit communities over an electricity connection dispute. The clashes resulted in severe violence, and the authorities are wary of the possibility of renewed tensions between the two communities. Police patrols and surveillance continue, as the fear of further violence looms over the village.

State of Fear for Dalits: A Cry for Justice

Kaushik Parmar, the advocate who filed the RTI application, has expressed outrage over the state of affairs in Gujarat, particularly the vulnerable condition of Dalit communities. Speaking to the media, Parmar said, “It is a sorry state of affairs in Gujarat, where Dalits have to live in fear. Until there is police protection, they are safe. Otherwise, they will be attacked, tormented, and tortured.” His statement underscores the ongoing insecurity faced by the Dalit community, who often bear the brunt of caste-based discrimination and violence in the region.

Despite years of social movements and advocacy for Dalit rights, discrimination remains a systemic issue in many parts of Gujarat. The Dalit community, often subjected to harassment, violence, and exploitation, continues to face marginalization within society, even in areas where police presence is a constant reminder of the violence they endure.

Why Is Police Protection Still Necessary?

The prolonged need for police protection in these villages highlights the state’s inability to prevent caste-based violence and the lack of effective legal remedies for marginalized communities. Despite the state government’s efforts to address caste tensions, the root causes remain largely unaddressed, making it difficult for affected communities to live free from fear and oppression.

The state police’s role in maintaining law and order is critical. However, the fact that some villages have been under protection for over a decade speaks to a larger failure in achieving social cohesion and resolving deep-rooted caste conflicts. Police protection, in this case, is not just a preventative measure but a sign of the ongoing instability in these regions, which authorities have struggled to resolve.

The Road Ahead: What Needs to Change

For Gujarat to progress toward a more inclusive and just society, the government must take concrete steps to address the root causes of caste-based violence. Legal reforms, social awareness, and community engagement are essential to break the cycle of discrimination and violence that continues to plague marginalized communities.

While police protection is a necessary measure for the time being, long-term solutions must focus on reconciliation, equal rights, and peace-building initiatives that foster mutual understanding between communities. Judicial accountability and swift legal action against those responsible for caste-based violence are crucial in ensuring that such incidents do not persist in Gujarat’s future.