Onkar Shad
In response to a disturbing surge in atrocities against Dalits in Himachal Pradesh, CPI(M) launched statewide protests on October 6, 2025, condemning the incidents as symptomatic of a deep-rooted and resurgent "manuvadi" ideology that seeks to undermine the Indian Constitution. The party frames this not just as isolated crimes but as a symptom of a deeper ideological struggle. They allege that there is a systemic effort to reinstate a "manuvadi system" (a social order based on the hierarchical laws of Manusmriti), which is fundamentally opposed to the egalitarian principles of the Indian Constitution.
This issue becomes even more alarming considering that Himachal has the second-highest proportion of Scheduled Caste (Dalit) population in India after Punjab - over 25% of the state's residents belong to SC communities. In this backdrop, the alleged suicide of 12-year-old Dalit boy Sikandar from Rohru, following a deeply humiliating caste-based incident, has triggered widespread outrage and concern across the state. In response to the demand for swift and concrete action on this grave issue, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized statewide protests.
These protests were not just about a single incident but a collective expression of anger against a recurring pattern of violence and caste-based discrimination against Dalits in the state. Protests were held at district and block headquarters, where participants submitted memorandums addressed to Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu through Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Officers and Tehsildars. More than 20 social and Dalit organizations also joined the protest, giving it broader public support.
While addressing the gatherings, various speakers expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the increasing atrocities faced by Dalit communities in different parts of Himachal Pradesh. They emphasized that such inhuman acts have no place in any civilized society. Three recent incidents - the brutal rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kullu’s Sainj Valley, the humiliation and subsequent suicide of young Sikandar in Rohru’s Jangla village, and the public assault of a government official during the Dussehra festival in Kullu - have brought shame to the state. Speakers pointed out that such barbaric acts violate the very essence of the Indian Constitution, and it is the constitutional duty of the government to take effective steps to prevent caste-based violence. The protestors detailed the incidents: in Sainj Valley, a Dalit woman was raped, murdered, and her body was hung from a tree in the forest to destroy evidence. In Jangla village, 12-year-old Sikandar was locked in a cowshed by an upper-caste woman for entering her house, and a goat was demanded as punishment. This humiliation led him to take his own life. In Kullu, a government officer was publicly insulted and beaten during the Dussehra celebrations for allegedly violating so-called religious customs. These shocking incidents have stunned the public, yet a section of society is either justifying such actions or trying to suppress the facts under the guise of tradition and local customs.
CPI(M) leader and former MLA Rakesh Singha expressed deep concern, stating that it is extremely unfortunate that such incidents continue to occur even decades after India's Independence. He strongly condemned the attempts to tarnish Sikandar’s character by labeling him a “habitual thief,” calling it a deliberate conspiracy to divert attention from the real issue of caste-based oppression, especially when no such allegations exist in the police records. He further stated that there exists an ideology in India that wants to drag the country back to the 16th century and impose a justice system based on Manuvaad (Manusmriti). Singha declared that as long as the red flag of the left movement flies, and progressive voices remain alive in this country, the fight will continue to ensure that India runs on constitutional values - not on medieval laws. He further said that to abolish this regressive practice, rational thinkers and intellectuals from communities must unite. This demands a collective struggle, similar to the unified national movement for India's independence. Ending these social evils requires the same collaborative resolve that once liberated our nation.
CPI(M) State Secretary Sanjay Chauhan, while addressing the protest, expressed his anger and disappointment, saying, "Our Constitution guarantees equality to every Indian. It is shameful that even in 2025 we are still witnessing such incidents." He stressed that protecting constitutional values should not be confined to paper; the government must take decisive and concrete actions. Chauhan made it clear that the time for rhetoric and hollow assurances is over - now is the time to act, deliver justice to the victims, and ensure the safety of the Dalit community.
The CPI(M) strongly condemns the blatant inaction and complacency of the administration and police in incidents that reveal a total collapse of governance in Himachal Pradesh. During the Kullu Mela, law and order broke down completely as the administration stood by in silence. The public dragging of a tehsildar occurred without any police intervention – no action, no arrests, no accountability. This is not mere negligence; it is a brazen betrayal of constitutional responsibility. Equally appalling is the administration’s inexcusable delay in filing an FIR in the tragic suicide case of Sikandar in Rohru. CPI(M) demands immediate action against all responsible officials and a judicial inquiry into both incidents.
The protestors put forward several clear demands before the state government:
- Immediate and fair justice for the victims and their families.
- Urgent protection for Sikandar’s family.
- Arrest and strict punishment under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for the woman and others responsible for Sikandar’s death.
- Strict enforcement of constitutional provisions like Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 15 (Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Religion, Race, Caste, Sex), Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability), and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).
The CPI(M) emphasized that this protest is not just a symbolic act. The struggle will continue until complete justice is delivered to the victims and meaningful administrative and legal reforms are enacted to protect the Dalit community. This issue has now gone beyond politics; it has become a question of safeguarding the social fabric and constitutional values of the state. The protest held outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shimla became the focal point of the movement. A convention will be organized on 16th October in Shimla to further raise this issue, build broader unity, and form a platform against atrocities on Dalits.
Notably, Sikandar’s father and uncle were present during the protest, making the moment more emotional and significant. Prominent leaders who participated included Rakesh Singha, Sanjay Chauhan, Onkar Shad, Kuldip Singh Tanwar, Vijender Mehra, Jagat Ram, Falma Chauhan, Ram Singh, Dr Rajinder Chauhan, Dr Vijay Kaushal, Satyawan Pundeer, Jaishiv Thakur, Gopal Jhilta, Uttam Kashyap, Meer Sukh, Preetpal Mattu, Advocate Parvati Devi, Uma Lal, Vivek Kashyap, Ruhal Chand, Mast Ram, Sonia, Rama Rawat, Karmchand Bhatia, Sushil Bauddh, Rajesh Gajta, Rajesh Kaush, Anil Thakur, Sunny Sikta, Vivek Nehra, Pawan Kumar, Yogi Singhania, Mukesh, Ritesh, Balak Ram, Pratap Chauhan, Kapil Negi, Nokh Ram, Ashok Thakur, Kapil Sharma, and Jagmohan Thakur among others.
