Prayagraj: A deep wave of anger and resentment is brewing among Dalit families in the Karchana area of Prayagraj after a violent protest on June 29 led to a police crackdown across several villages. The situation has worsened following statements made by Bhim Army chief and Member of Parliament Chandrashekhar Azad, who distanced himself from those arrested, saying that the individuals who created the disturbance were not part of his party.
Dalit families have accused both the police and Chandrashekhar of betrayal. Many parents and relatives say that their young sons have been wrongfully detained and that the MP, whom they supported and considered their voice, has turned his back on them in their most difficult hour.
The chain of events started on June 29 when Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was scheduled to visit the family of Devi Shankar, a Dalit man from Isota village in Karchana. Devi Shankar had been brutally murdered by dominant caste men from the Thakur community on April 13. According to the victim’s family, he was beaten, killed, and his body was burnt in a field after petrol was poured on it.
Azad had planned to meet Devi Shankar’s family to express solidarity and raise their issues publicly. However, before he could reach Karchana, he was placed under house arrest by the police at the circuit house, effectively preventing him from visiting the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Bhim Army supporters gathered at Hanuman Puri intersection in Bhadevaara and began a protest demanding justice for Devi Shankar and condemning police action against their leader. The protest quickly turned violent. Supporters blocked roads, vandalised property, pelted stones at police personnel, and even set vehicles on fire.
In retaliation, the police launched a major crackdown and arrested 75 people on charges of rioting and violence. The police claimed that those detained were clearly identifiable through photos and videos captured during the chaos.
Dalit Families Speak Out: “Our Sons Are Innocent”
The situation took a serious turn when police raids began in multiple villages in and around Karchana. The families allege that many young boys and men who had nothing to do with the protest were forcibly taken away from their homes, often during late-night raids.
In Akodha village, 30 km from the main city, villagers shared harrowing tales of police high-handedness. Meena Devi recounted how her nephew, Vikas, was picked up while he was preparing for his sister’s wedding at a relative’s house. “His mother had passed away just days earlier. The entire family was already grieving. Despite this, they took Vikas away, calling him a troublemaker,” she said, her voice trembling.
Another villager, Rita Devi, described how her son, a recent member of the Bhim Army, was arrested. “Our family has supported the Bhim Army for years, but now their chief says these boys aren’t from his party. This is a betrayal. We want justice for our children,” she said.
Khushi, another resident, shared that her brother Ravi had dinner and gone to sleep with his sisters. Around midnight, the police stormed their house, woke everyone up, and verbally abused the women. “They dragged Ravi out even though he had nothing to do with the riot. They took him away without explaining why,” she said tearfully.
Ravi’s grandfather, Shankar Lal, expressed his helplessness, saying, “He is innocent. He was sleeping at home, yet they took him and sent him to jail.”
Widespread Raids Create Atmosphere of Fear
After the violent incident, 25 police teams led by DCP Yamunanagar Vivek Chandra Yadav were deployed across villages in the region. These teams conducted sweeping raids in Akodha, Kulmai, Kakaram, Kaithi, Bhadewara, Arai, Pachdevra, Majhiyari, and other nearby areas.
According to local residents, nearly 30 to 40 people have been arrested so far, and interrogations are ongoing. Villagers claim that men are being picked up at night while they are sleeping, without any substantial proof of involvement in the riots.
Prem Shankar from Kakaram village shared that about 10 young men from his village were forcibly picked up by the police. “They were beaten and dragged out of their homes. They had no role in this violence. Now the men in many villages have fled their homes fearing arrest,” he said.
Women in these villages are living under immense fear. Many say that their husbands, sons, and brothers have gone into hiding to escape the police’s continuous raids. The women now face the double burden of protecting their families and managing daily survival without male support.
Chandrashekhar’s Statement: A Blow to Supporters
Amid this chaos, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad’s statement has poured salt on the wounds of the affected families. In his statement, Azad categorically denied that those arrested were from his party, adding that real Bhim Army members would never engage in such acts of violence and vandalism.
This remark has caused widespread resentment among Dalit families. Many say they had looked up to Chandrashekhar as a fearless leader who spoke up for Dalit rights and justice. They believe his disowning of the arrested youths amounts to political opportunism and betrayal.
Dalit villagers in Karchana feel abandoned. “He rose to power because of us. Now that our children are in jail, he claims they are not his people. What about the years of loyalty and support?” asked one anguished father, his eyes filled with tears.
The police, on the other hand, maintain that their actions are lawful and targeted. Officials say they are arresting only those individuals clearly identified from photos and videos of the June 29 violence. “We have not targeted any innocent person. The arrests are based on strong evidence,” said an official from the district police headquarters.
However, the on-ground situation paints a different picture. The fear among villagers, accounts of night raids, and mass exodus of men suggest that the police action has taken a more indiscriminate turn.
Currently, many villages around Karchana wear a deserted look. The streets are empty, doors are shut, and a tense silence prevails. Women, children, and elderly residents live in constant anxiety about further police action.
On June 30, a day after the violence, when police were escorting the arrested youths to jail, a photograph captured them sitting with their ears held — a traditional pose signifying repentance or punishment in India. This image has since gone viral and is being used by authorities to justify their crackdown.
A Community Betrayed
The unfolding events have left the Dalit community in Karchana disillusioned and angry. Their faith in the political leadership they supported, and their trust in law enforcement, both stand deeply shaken. Families now demand that an independent investigation be conducted, and those wrongfully arrested be released immediately.
In the words of Rita Devi, “We believed in Chandrashekhar. We voted for him, supported him. Today, he says our children are not his responsibility. This is not just a legal fight; this is a fight for dignity and justice for our community.”
