​​Caste panchayat boycotts family over refusal to hold feast after death

A caste panchayat in Barmer district has boycotted a family for three years over their refusal to hold a ritualistic feast after a death in the family. The victim family alleged that they have been facing a social boycott and also getting threats from the panchayat.

On Sunday, ​the victim ​lodged an FIR against the caste panchayat members at Bakhasar police station. On the basis of the complaint, the police have booked more than 100 panchayat members, including 46 named accused. The case has been registered under section 143, 384/34 of the IPC.

In the complainant, ​Jawararam, son of Tagaram Meghwal​, said that his father died three years ago and after the death, the caste panchayat members have been forcing him to organise a feast, but he had refused to do so. After the family’s refusal to hold the feast, the caste panchayat members have passed a diktat ordering the family to pay ₹5 lakh cash and to donate 25 quintals of millet and 10 bighas land to the community.

He said that when he refused to obey, the caste panchayat then passed the diktat to boycott the family. The victim alleged that after the diktat the community members have avoided contact with the family. They avoided speaking with them and also inviting them to social functions.

The victim said that after three years of boycott, recently he paid ₹5 lakh to the caste panchayat and donated 25 quintals of millet. He said that even after paying the penalty, the members refused to withdraw their diktat.

He said that on April 18, a caste panchayat was organised again and they told him that the boycott will continue till he donates 10 bighas of land to the community.

The victim alleged that all he had done is tried to raise his voice against social evils.

Dhanna Ram, station house officer at Bakhasar police station, said that on the basis of the victim’s complaint they have registered the case.