A. Earlier there was booth capturing during elections and we could not vote for our candidate. But ever since Mayawati came it has stopped and we can vote freely. Earlier people were beaten up, abused and forced to vote.

•Is there violence only during elections or at other times as well?

A. Violence happens at all times.

•Can you give some example of violence that may have happened with you or your family members?

A. If we didn't attend some religious gathering we were beaten up. Similarly they forcefully took away our land and beat us up if we protested.

•So they also took away your land

A. Yes. It happens even now

•So what does the police say when you approach them.

A. Policemen come but if they get a call from some local leader the case gets weak.

•Does police also ask you about your caste?

A. Not really. But they come and don't do much.

•So is it because they are bribed

A. Yes that's true. They get some 10-20 thousand rupees and don't do anything after that

•So what is your main problem in everyday life. Is it food, water or electricity?

A. Our land has been taken away by Gujjars right now. Our village pradhan Ranbir Singh has his own land and yet he has taken most of our land. There are orders to remove him but he is still staying in here.

•But hasn't crime come down under Mayawati's regime?

A. Lot of Mayawati's aides themselves try to protect these criminals after they are bribed one lakh or two lakh rupees.

•Then why do you vote for Mayawati?

A. That's because there is some relief under her regime. But crime still persists and it may come down further if she stays.

Ever since Mayawati's government has come our lives have improved marginally. Earlier no one cared for us. So many people left the village

•So why did they run away from here? Were they harassed?

A.They were harassed by upper caste. Their women were also harassed. Even the police didn't help them. So, obviously they had no other option but to run away from the village.

•So the earlier governments, be it congress, SP or BJP no one did anything?

A. None of them did anything. Earlier law and order was not so bad. It increased after Mulayam came to power. If tomorrow Mulayam's government come to power we will have to also leave the village

•So are you okay with Congress coming to power

A. Yes we don't mind that.

•You all are mostly concerned about Goondaraj. What about other problems of basic necessities.

A. We are ready to go without food water and electricity but we cannot do with the criminals. Our own uncle was beaten up so much that he was in hospital for two months. That is his house there.

•So who did this?

A. The village head Ranbir Singh

•Have you also experienced something similar?

A. My brother was beaten up. They abuse us. They force us to work in their fields and threaten our family members if we don't. There have been so many atrocities on us that we can't even recount them now.

•And this happened more under Mulayam Singh's government.

A. Yes that's right. We were never allowed to go and even complain.

•But how will you reach out to Mayawati's government?

A. Under her we are assured that criminals will not be spared

•So your MLA listens to you now?

A. Yes

•But we have heard that they buy tickets after bribing.

A. We can't say that. But our MP here has helped us a lot.

•What do you have to say about the huge house that Mayawati has erected for herself?

A. We don't care even if she stays in a golden house. What we care is that we must be able to live peacefully

•So you don't care as long as you get to live peacefully.

That's true. As long as our lives are safe, we don't care about all those things.

•What is your name?

Anita Devi

•Do you work?

Yes, I work as a labourer. Right now, I am making that house. We are not allowed to use the toilets made by the government.

•You have three children?

Yes

•Do they go to school?

Yes, one of them does. They also beat up our children in the school.

•Who beats them?

Gujjars

•So do they beat only Dalit children?

Yes

•Do teachers come regularly?

Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't

•Do they get food in school?

Yes, sometimes they get rice or chapatis. But it is not good food

•Haven't you complained?

We did once and our men were then beaten up. After which they left the village. Once the children were served rotten food and when the mother went to complain, the village head beat her up badly. After which she also ran away from here.

•Do you all study?

We used to. Now we don't.

•Why?

We were not allowed to study by villagers. They threatened to beat us if we went to school.

•Who were these people?

The village head

•But you wanted to study further?

Yes.

•So what did they say?

They said why do you need to study.

There are a lot of criminals in and around the school so its no longer safe for girls to go there.

•Were you told that people from your caste cannot attend school?

Yes

•But have things changed since Mayawati came to power?

Yes it has changed a bit for the better

•So what has changed?

Children are not harassed as much as they were before.

•Have they ever said that you have become more vocal because your government is in power?

Yes, they say that. They have threatened us with dire consequences once their government comes to power

•There is a scheme for providing employment to people. Has that been implemented here?

Most of the people work as labourers. No one was given jobs under this scheme.The village head gave jobs to his men but not to us.

•So have you complained?

There is no one to hear our complaint here.

•So do you plan top take this up with your MLA?

The MLA here belongs to Samajwadi party. So he does not do much.

•What do you want from these elections?

We want freedom from crime and criminals and our vote should be accounted for. We should not be forced to vote for anyone.

•What are your expectations after the elections?

We want a happy and peaceful life. We don't to fight with anyone.

•We have spoken about Congress, SP and BSP, but what about BJP?

We had to face many difficulties even under the BJP

•So what was the main shortcoming of BJP?

BJP sided with the upper caste

•So which party indulges in caste politics the most?

Mulayam Singh's party

•So come what may you will not vote for SP?

Yes

•And you will vote for Mayawati's party?

Yes

•What about the Congress?

We can consider Congress, but only if they come here and ask for our vote.

•Do you feel proud that Mayawati is your leader?

We feel that she has already done so much for us and if she becomes the PM she will do more.

There is a lot of corruption and injustice in this land, but you have kept your cool and discussed issues that are important to you. Thank you so much for speaking to us