New Delhi: Alleging "rising atrocities" against Dalits in Nagaur in BJP-ruled Rajasthan, Congress has set up a four-member fact-finding team to inquire into the recent incidents of violence against members of scheduled castes in the region.
The team comprises Rajya Sabha MP Vijalakshmi Sadho, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, ex-Delhi minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and AICC secretary Dipak Babaria.
"Congress President has approved a fact-finding team to inquire into the rising atrocities against Dalits in Nagaur, Rajasthan.
"On May 14, violent caste clash in Nagpur led to the loss of five lives, including four Dalits. Previously three Dalits were burnt alive in Nagaur," the Chairperson of SC department K Raju said.
Congress, which plans to take up Dalit issues across the nation in a big way after its unprecedented drubbing in the Lok Sabha poll, is apparently trying to corner the BJP government in the state on the issue.
The party has recently chalked out plans to organise the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar.
Rahul Gandhi will inaugurate the national launch of the year-round 125th birth anniversary celebrations of BR Ambedkar by Congress at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh on June two.
In the Rajasthan incident, a land dispute had apparently triggered the clash.Four persons ?three from Dalit community and one from Jat community-- were killed in the land-related old dispute in Dangawas village of Merta city town.
Seven others were critically injured, and had been admitted to government hospital Ajmer where one of them succumbed to injuries on Saturday.
The disputed land was in the possession of Ratna Ram Meghwal, one of the slain men, while members of Jat community also staked claim on the land.
A panchayat was convened in the presence of the villagers so that the dispute could be resolved. However, violence erupted.The issue has led to a huge controversy in Rajashtan.
The Chairman of Committee on Schedule Cast in Rajasthan Assembly Chandra Kanta Meghwal had on Saturday demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
Meghwal is a BJP MLA from Ramganjmandi area of the district.
People's Union for Civil Liberties have also demanded a CBI inquiry in the case saying it was a case of atrocities against Dalits.
