Politics has changed, Sherpur not amused

The political equations in Uttar Pradesh have changed much since 1975, when two Dalits, suspected to be Naxals

The political equations in Uttar Pradesh have changed much since 1975, when two Dalits, suspected to be Naxals, were lynched by Bhumihars, who then went on to burn many houses belonging to lower castes in Dildarnagar constituency. This time, however, the local BSP candidate is Pashupati Nath Rai, a Bhumihar.

“Ab to woh bhi hathi par chadh gaye. Budhape mein ye to maine dekh liya. (Now they are also riding on BSP’s elephant. I have seen this in my lifetime),” says Tetari Devi, whose husband was among those lynched in retaliation to the killing of two Bhumihars.

Tetari still maintains no links with Bhumihars of the village. “I have nothing to do with them. My son is working in Gujarat and regularly sends money. I need no support from the landlords,” she adds.

But the landlords have been cosying up. Changur Ram says some of them approached the Dalits requesting for BSP flags. “They hoisted the flags atop their houses and greeted us with our slogan Jai Bhim.”

Sheo Kumari, who lost her brother-in-law Radheshyam Ram in the 1975 incident, is also surprised to see the changing attitude of the Bhumihars. “Bhaia ham ta acharaj kah gayini. I ta paschim mein suraj ug gail (I am surprised, it’s like sunrise in the west.”

Dalit voters are not happy with Mayawati’s decision to field a Bhumihar candidate from the seat. “We were not ready to cast our vote in favour of a Bhumihar. But most just look at Behanji. All power will be with her if she becomes CM,” feels Nandu Ram, another resident of Sherpur.

The Bhumihar strongholds of Sherpur and Rewatipur in Dildarnagar constituency have always played a decisive role in past Assembly elections. Together the villages have over 15,000 voters. “These two villages used to elect the MLA in the past,” says Lallan Rai, reaffirming the fact that Sherpur and Rewatipur have produced at least four legislators.

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The eight villagers, who were recently released from jail after serving the sentence following their conviction in 1975 incident, too are unhappy. “I have suffered a lot. I won’t support the BSP candidate,” says Dinanath Rai, who served a four-year sentence. However, Rai says he now has cordial relations with the Dalits. “They work and we pay their wages. I have now no problems with them.”

Umashankar Rai, another released convict, too has similar feelings. “Those who suffered will not accept the new change. But all are at liberty to cast votes for whoever they want.”

Dildarnagar constituency is at present represented by SP minister Om Prakash Singh. But Pashupati Rai’s nomination has disturbed his age-old caste equations. He knows it will be a tough fight this time.