The verdict in the Khairlanji case, delivered by the sessions court in Bhandara, needs to be welcomed. It sends a strong message and will act as a deterrent so that no majority group targets a weaker section of society, as casteism is still strong in India, especially in rural areas.
The incident came as a shock for Maharashtra, which calls itself a progressive state. Though there were initially doubts over the probe, it now appears the CBI and special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam built a foolproof case.
The case has also opened up a debate: Should such cases be filed under the Atrocities Act? The court considered it a case of murder, and not a Dalit atrocity. The verdict is obviously based on the evidences and facts presented before it.
Social analysts point to the strains of the caste system in the case. A group of villagers dared to brutally kill a family as they knew no one from their village would stand behind the victims, who were from a lower caste.
“Though the verdict sends a strong message to those who still practice untouchability, it appears that the court treated the case as a murder and not a caste conflict. This is something the government should challenge in the higher courts. We still have the caste system rooted deep in our country,” said sociologist Nandini Sardesai.
{{/usCountry}}“Though the verdict sends a strong message to those who still practice untouchability, it appears that the court treated the case as a murder and not a caste conflict. This is something the government should challenge in the higher courts. We still have the caste system rooted deep in our country,” said sociologist Nandini Sardesai.
{{/usCountry}}Special public prosecutor Nikam said the state would have to think about this aspect. “The decision will have to be taken by the CBI and I would advise them to go to the higher courts,” he said.