As many as fifty Dalit families in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh sought Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's permission for euthanasia, alleging that the land granted to them by the government is being occupied by goons, which has left them with no means to sustain their livelihood.
"The government had allotted them land in 2002 but they haven't got the possession yet. During the regime of Digvijaya Singh, one hectare of land was allotted to them. But the hooligans of the village have captured them. In January we had done a hunger strike and in March we had demonstrated an agitation," Jaswant Singh, state president of National Dalit Chetna Manch told ANI.
He said the poor farmers were beaten up but the police didn't intervene and there was no action taken.
"We had again demonstrated an agitation.the SDM said he can't do anything. So, today the Dalit family has asked for euthanasia from the Chief Minister. I am requesting the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister to give them their land. The hooligans are associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. They say you won't be able to do anything...it is our government. How will a common man be able to survive if this happens in a democracy?" he added.
One of the Dalit farmers Arjun Singh said they were allotted lands by the government 15 years back, but haven't got the possession yet.
"Nobody is ready to listen to us. Our lands have been occupied by hooligans. We have no other option to sustain our livelihood. If the government can't give our land back, at least give us Mukti (freedom)," he added.
