Hundreds of Dalits in Rampur, a city of western Uttar Pradesh, have said that they will convert to Islam on Ambedkar Jayanti, April 14.
They say it is their way of protesting against a proposed demolition drive by the Rampur administration.
This comes months after Dalits in Meerut had threatened to convert to Islam in protest against the denial of their rights to perform puja in a Maharshi Valmiki temple in Baghpat.
Nearly 300 residents of the Topkhana Valmiki basti in Rampur also petitioned Governor Ram Naik through Additional District Magistrate M.P. Singh against the demolition. The ADM has already ordered an investigation.
Kumar Eklavya, leader of Valmiki Basti Bachao Sangahrsh Samiti, said that on Tuesday, a senior officer of the Rampur Nagarpalika entered their colony and informed them about the decision to demolish their homes.
Probe ordered Mr. Singh, however, said he would not comment before knowing the issue.
“A probe has been ordered. We will check with the authorities if here is any proposal regarding demolition of the Valmiki Basti at all with the civic body,” he said.
Mr. Eklavya, however, alleged that a senior politician of the ruling dispensation wanted the Valmikis to leave the land for a shopping mall to be built there.
“We were told that some influential politician wanted to build a shopping mall and that is why the municipality people want our home to be demolished,” he said.
“But we have been legally living on this land since last several decades. It was allowed to us as safai karmcharis and we have got the documents to prove it,” he added.
