Mahadalits face social boycott in Bihar village

The poorest of poor Mahadalits are facing a social boycott in their village in Bihar after one of them refused to remove a dead ox from an influential person's house, police said on Tuesday.

Nearly two dozen Mahadalits families of Pindsharif village in Shekhpura district have been boycotted which means they are not allowed to purchase from local shops and their children have been ousted from school.

The trouble started when Sitaram Ravidas, a Mahadalit, refused to remove and throw a dead ox from the house of Jitendra Choudhary, an influtential man in the village.

"It has angered some powerful people, who called a panchayat (meeting of the village) and ordered a social, economic and educational boycott of the Mahadalits," Sheikhpura Superintendent of Police Dheeraj Kumar said.

"I have ordered to take action against accused in the case because it is a serious matter," he said.

A group of Mahadalits approached him on Monday and sought help and justice.

Kumar has asked the sub divisional police officer to investigate into the matter and submit a report soon.