1. 🔥 Guna Dalit Couple Beating and Bulldozing Case (2020)
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Incident: A Dalit couple was beaten by police and their farm hut demolished with a bulldozer in Guna district. They attempted suicide in protest.
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Reason: Encroachment removal on government land.
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Legal Action: Several police personnel suspended; human rights commission sought report.
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Significance: Sparked national outrage; highlighted abuse of power, police brutality, and land issues affecting Dalits.
2. 🧑🏫 Chhatarpur Dalit Boy Stripping Case (2022)
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Incident: A 15-year-old Dalit student was stripped naked and beaten in school by his teacher.
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Reason: He allegedly sat on a seat reserved for upper-caste students.
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Legal Action: FIR under SC/ST Act and POCSO; teacher arrested.
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Significance: Showed how caste discrimination continues even in educational institutions.
3. 💧 Sagar Dalit Boy Urination Case (2023)
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Incident: A viral video showed an upper-caste man urinating on a tribal (Dalit) youth’s face in Sidhi district.
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Legal Action: Immediate arrest of the accused under SC/ST Act; CM ordered public apology and property demolition.
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Significance: Highlighted deep-rooted caste humiliation and symbolic violence in rural areas.
4. 🛑 Seoni Dalit Youth Beaten to Death by Cow Vigilantes (2022)
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Incident: Two Dalit men were beaten on suspicion of cow slaughter.
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Outcome: Accused arrested under IPC and SC/ST Act.
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Significance: Raised concerns over vigilante justice and communal-caste violence overlap.
5. 🏡 Tikamgarh Land Dispute and Atrocity Case (2019)
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Incident: A Dalit family’s home was torched by upper-caste men over a land ownership dispute.
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Legal Action: SC/ST Act invoked; families displaced.
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Significance: Showed systemic oppression over land rights and forced displacement.
6. 🩸 Ratlam Manual Scavenging Deaths (2018)
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Incident: Several Dalit workers died while cleaning septic tanks without safety gear.
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Legal Action: Violation of Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act and SC/ST Act.
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Significance: Highlighted caste-based occupational discrimination and poor enforcement of labor laws.
📌 Common Themes in These Cases:
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Caste-based police violence | Frequent use of force against Dalits, especially in land and property matters. |
| Symbolic humiliation | Stripping, urination, public beatings — meant to degrade dignity. |
| Educational discrimination | Dalit children still face caste-based seating and punishment. |
| Land and housing disputes | Targeted demolitions and arson against Dalit homes. |
| Delayed justice | FIR delays, leniency towards dominant caste accused. |
📚 Key Legal Provisions Used:
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SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
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Indian Penal Code (IPC) – 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 354 (assault), 295A (hurt religious/caste sentiments)
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POCSO Act – In cases involving minors
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Manual Scavenging Prohibition Act, 2013
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Constitutional Articles – Article 15, 17, and 21