"Untouchable" Dog
SOUTH ASIA
24 September 2010 Last updated at 19:26 GMT
Row over 'untouchable' Indian dog
Police in India are investigating claims that a Dalit woman has been ordered to
pay compensation to the high-caste owners of a dog she fed.
The woman says the village council wants her to pay a fine of 15,000 rupees ($330) for
feeding the dog, which the owners have now kicked out.
They are reported to have said the dog is "untouchable", but deny being motivated by
caste considerations.
Although widespread, discrimination against Dalits is an offence in India.
Dalits, who make up nearly 20% of the Indian population, say little has changed despite
the government enacting various laws banning caste-based discrimination.
'He got very angry'
The incident took place in Malikpur village in Morena district in central Madhya Pradesh
state.
"I made some roti [Indian bread] and took it to my husband who works in a farm. After I
had fed him, we had some leftovers which I gave to the dog," the Dalit woman, Sunita
Jatav, said.
"He got very angry and said 'You've fed my dog, it has become an untouchable now'."
Mrs Jatav said Mr Kirari left the dog, a black mongrel called Sheru, tied to a pole
outside her house.
On Monday, the village council met and decided that Sheru had been defiled and
hence Mr Kirari should be paid 15,000 rupees as compensation, Mrs Jatav alleged.
On Tuesday, she approached the district collector of Morena who ordered an inquiry
into the incident.
Senior police officer in the area, Baldev Singh, told the BBC that he was investigating
the matter.
He said Mr Kirari had alleged that after eating the bread, Sheru fell ill.
Mr Kirari said he abandoned the dog at Mrs Jatav's house so she could look after it and
nurse it back to health, Mr Singh added.
Dalits - formerly untouchables - are considered at the bottom of the Hindu caste
system.
Any discrimination against them is an offence and punishable by law.
brit it does happen more in places where lack of education is prevalent. Though this one is an extreme case even for me and we have this caste system pretty much set in our villages.
It will take some time to get rid of it completely, The younger generation is not that concerned about the caste of a person as some of the older lot.
it is not lack of education. The educated ones show their discrimination in other ways
so her money is not 'untouchable'? but her food is untouchable?? what a moron!its sad to know that such sick minded ppl still exist in this world!!
better i keep quite, else Indians will again question my Nationality.
Even though it is highlighted daily and there is a government body set up to address the issue..
Why does it still occur ?? Is it just lack of education ?
That discrimination is only in the Middle East and not anywhere else, so many discussion about it over here.
Actually you read about caste system and it's problems every day in Times Of India. If you can read, you can see this view.
It is another view of "Shining India". Which we normally don't see in the Media.
Outdated cultural practices, outmoded beliefs and lack of education..
i guess was posted