In order to mark his protest on the cases registered against the Dalits across the country after the violence during the Bharat Band on April 2 Chief of Bheem army Chandrashekhar started an indefinite hunger strike in Saharanpur jail on Saturday.
“He was extremely upset and perturbed after the Dalits were booked in false cases in different parts of the country post-violence ”, said Kamal Singh Walia, District President of Saharanpur for Bheem Army. Walia added that in deep pain the chief has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike in the jail.
” The Chief is demanding immediate withdrawal of cases against Dalits and will end his strike only after the decision is taken up,” asserted Walia.
Chandrashekhar alias Raavan is in the Saharanpur jail eversince he was arrested in connection of violence in Saharanpur last year after the Dalit – Thakur clash in Shabeerpur and nearby areas of the district.
After the violence of April 2 during the Bharat Band on the call of Dalit organisation to mark their protest against the decision of the supreme court on the SC/ST act many demonstrators were arrested.
Henceforth on Friday a delegation of Bheem Army officials including Delhi Coordinator Sanjeev, Delhi in charge advocate Sujeet Samrat and patron Balakram Baudh met Chandrashekhar in Saharanpur jail and briefed him about this violence.
Also briefed their Chief about Dalit movement, police action against Dalits and discussed their strategy.
Chandrasekhar hence decided to stand by the community and told the delegation that he would go on number strike demanding withdrawal of cases.
The Bheem Army officials and Chandrashekhar had intimated the decision of indefinite hunger strike to jail superintendent, told Walia. But Viresh Raj, superintendent of Saharanpur Jail, said that he did not get any letter regarding hunger strike.
Bheem Army came into limelight in May last year when its activists and leaders blamed police and administration of being biased in initiating action against accused of caste violence in Shabbeerpur and Sarak Doodhli villages of Saharanpur.
They had declared to organize a Dalit Mahapanchayat to raise the issue but administration denied permission to Mahapanchayat which led to widespread violence and confrontation with administration and police.
Many officials of Bheem Army were arrested and later their Chief Chandrashekhar was also arrested from Dalhousie of Himachal Pradesh and booked in NSA.