New Delhi: All India Secular Forum has strongly condemned the attack on Swami Agnivesh by communal forces in a meeting organized by Garima Abhiyan in Bhopal last week. The meeting was called to make the members of Balmiki community take a pledge that they will not be carrying human excreta on their heads.
Social activist Agnivesh was attacked when he came forward to touch the feet of an old lady from Balmiki Community. The gesture was to recognize the dignity of all the humans being equal. In a way it was to challenge to the prevalent practices which derive their origin from caste system. The government has already come with legislation banning this dehumanizing practice, which takes away the dignity of section of society.
“This attack was done by communal forces, led by VHP. This again shows the real agenda of VHP associates, the one of preserving the caste hierarchy and keeping the large section of dalits in their present subhuman conditions. VHP and affiliates, under the garb of protecting Hindu religion want to maintain the graded hierarchy of caste and so this attack on Swamiji, as he staunchly opposed this practice,” said All India Secular Forum in a media statement.
The group expressed solidarity with Swami Agnivesh’s continuing campaign to get dignity to dalits and Balmiki community in particular and to abolish the practice of carrying night soil on head.
The statement was signed by Asghar Ali Engineer, L.S. Hardenia, Ram Puniyani, Irfan Engineer and Dr. Mohammad Arif.