Did 16 of the 27 Victims in the Hooch Tragedy Belong to the Dalit Community?
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Synopsis
The recent hooch tragedy in Amritsar has raised serious concerns as reports reveal that 16 of the 27 victims are from the Dalit community. The Punjab BJP has called for justice and a thorough investigation into the incidents as they highlight systemic issues within the government.
Key Takeaways
- Sixteen out of 27 victims from Dalit community.
- Demand for CBI investigation into hooch incidents.
- Call for accountability from AAP government.
- Concern over rising illicit liquor consumption.
- Need for government intervention to protect marginalized communities.
Chandigarh, May 24 (NationPress) According to S.R. Ladhar, President of the Punjab BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha, sixteen out of the 27 individuals who lost their lives due to the consumption of illegal liquor in Amritsar are members of the Dalit community. This revelation was made during a statement on Saturday.
In light of this month’s tragic deaths caused by toxic liquor derived from methanol in the Majitha region, the morcha has urged the National Scheduled Caste Commission to step in and seek justice for the victims.
Former IAS officer Ladhar demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with accompanying ministers, MLAs, MPs, and government officials, clarify why this significant fact was concealed. He criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to file a case under the Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1989 against those involved, who are allegedly receiving political protection.
“This situation reflects the apathetic attitude of the Bhagwant Mann government. Why should we not suspect that this indicates an anti-Dalit sentiment within the AAP government? The BJP will resist any harmful intentions of the government,” he asserted. He demanded a CBI investigation into the spurious liquor incidents over the past three years, alleging that the government is attempting to suppress the truth.
Paramjit Singh Kainth, Vice-President of the morcha, expressed concern over the rising incidents of illegal liquor consumption. He referenced the Amritsar tragedy and last year’s Sangrur incident, where 20 individuals perished, emphasizing that most victims belong to the Scheduled Castes. He criticized the AAP government for downplaying serious incidents as mere investigations.
Kainth insisted that the investigation report from the Sangrur case be made public, as it is connected to Chief Minister Mann’s home district and the constituency of Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Dirba.
He accused the government of failing to take decisive action against the liquor mafia and called for a probe by the Governor into the spurious liquor cases to unveil the operations of the liquor mafia.
In a similar vein, 121 individuals lost their lives in 2020 due to spurious liquor consumption across Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur districts.
Point of View
It is essential to approach the tragic hooch incident with sensitivity and an unbiased perspective. The focus should remain on the victims and their families while advocating for justice and accountability from the government. The rising trend of illicit liquor consumption poses a significant threat to vulnerable communities, and it is vital that this issue is addressed with urgency and care.
NationPress
01/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hooch tragedy in Amritsar?
The hooch tragedy refers to the incident where 27 individuals died after consuming illicit liquor in Amritsar, Punjab.
Why are the victims' community backgrounds important?
Understanding the community backgrounds of the victims highlights systemic issues and the need for focused government intervention for marginalized communities.
What actions are being demanded by the Punjab BJP?
The Punjab BJP is demanding a CBI investigation into the incident and accountability from the AAP government for their handling of the situation.
What legislation is being referenced for protection of victims?
The Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1989 is being referenced, which aims to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
How has the AAP government responded to this incident?
Critics claim that the AAP government has failed to take adequate action against those responsible and has not registered cases under the relevant legal provisions.
