In the Muslim-majority village of Dawoodpur Kota under the Thana Jawan area, several Dalit Hindu families have put up “For Sale” posters outside their homes, citing harassment by local Muslims as the reason behind their decision to migrate. The posters read, “Dalit Samaj ke makaan bikau hain, Musalmano se pareshan karne par Dawoodpur Kota Aligarh se palayan karne ko majboor hain” (Houses of Dalit community are up for sale; fed up with harassment by Muslims, we are forced to migrate from Dawoodpur Kota village).
Dawoodpur Kota is a village with approximately 400 Muslim families and about 60 Hindu families, including 20 Dalit families. Tensions have reportedly been brewing for over a year. In 2023, a dispute arose when the keys to a motorcycle were forcibly taken, leading to clashes between the Dalit Hindu and Muslim communities. Despite police intervention at the time, sporadic incidents of harassment have continued.
The situation escalated earlier this month when Jayanti Devi, a Dalit woman from the village, was allegedly assaulted by her Muslim neighbors following a dispute. According to Jayanti Devi, goats belonging to her neighbor Daraksha entered her house, spilling milk and flour. When Jayanti complained, she was threatened and later assaulted.
Speaking to the media, Jayanti said, “I only complained about the goats causing damage to my house, but instead of addressing the issue, I was threatened and beaten.” A case was registered at the Jawan police station, and two individuals were arrested in connection with the assault. However, the incident intensified the frustrations of the local Dalit community, leading some to publicly announce their intent to sell their homes.
Following the incident, police personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent further clashes. Jawan police station in-charge Hemant Mavi confirmed the arrests and stated that the situation is being monitored closely. The “For Sale” posters have since been removed, but the underlying tensions remain.
Mohit Kumar, a Dalit resident of Dawoodpur Kota, detailed the harassment faced by the community. “Our vehicles are often damaged, with windows broken during stone-pelting incidents. Garbage is thrown at our houses, and petty arguments frequently escalate. Our women and daughters are not safe, and we are constantly worried about their safety,” he said.
The Dalit Hindu families also accused the Muslim majority of interfering in their social and religious activities. “During weddings, they object to us playing DJ music and often create a ruckus. These actions make it difficult for us to perform even basic rituals. Many families are finding it hard to marry off their daughters due to the constant fear and intimidation,” Kumar added.
The Dalit families have appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for protection, urging the state government to ensure their safety and rights. They have called for strict action against those responsible for the harassment and demanded measures to restore peace in the village.
Organiser reported a similar case on December 20, where a widow from Basaha Mafi village in Lakhimpur Kheri’s Phoolbehad police station area posted a notice expressing her intent to sell her house. The poster reportedly cited ongoing harassment from members of the Muslim community as the reason, stating: “Fed up with harassment from Muslims, we want to sell this house.”
The woman stated that her elder daughter, who has been a victim of love jihad, is still fighting for justice. Meanwhile, she is now receiving threats that her younger daughter could also become a target of a similar incident.
