NHRC notice to Punjab govt over dalits’ social boycott

National Human Rights Commission today issued a notice to Punjab Government on alleged social boycott of Dalits in Sangrur district of the state.

The Commission has issued a notice to the state Chief Secretary, calling for a report within four weeks, according to an NHRC statement released today.

The notice was issued after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of a media report that 105 families belonging to Scheduled Castes have been facing social boycott by upper caste people in Baopur village of Moonak Sub-Division of Sangrur district since May 15.

Reportedly, they are facing this situation since they decided to cultivate 26 acres of Panchayat land reserved for the Scheduled Castes. Earlier, this land was being cultivated by the upper caste people who allegedly used to get it on contract through auction in the names of Dalits. The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of Dalits.