Photo Credit: Indiatimes

Saharanpur: The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended mobile internet services in Saharanpur in order to contain rumours and violence after violent clashes between members of the Dalit and the Rajput community.

The District Magistrate issued these orders after incidents of violence were reported again on Wednesday in parts of Saharanpur. Mobile internet, social media, WhatsApp and other messaging services will remain suspended until further notice.

A TOI report had indicated that Dalit support groups have been making use of social media and instant messaging apps to mobilise the community.

Dalit analysts hold the opinion that Bhim army, which started off as a small WhatsApp group of pro-Dalit thinkers, has now grown based solely due to online efforts.

There are several Facebook, Twitter handles, WhatsApp groups to inform people about developments in their movement. For instance, on May 22 when thousands of Dalits protested at Jantar Mantar, the event was broadcasted through Facebook Live by Bhim Army supporters, and forwarded through WhatsApp messages, the report said.

Read: Saharanpur: Bhim army mobilises Dalit support through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp

As the situation in Saharanpur continues to be tense after violent clashes between members of the Dalit and the Rajput community, the District Magistrate and the local SSP SC Dubey were sacked for their "inability to control the violence" after one person was killed in the clashes.

A total of 24 people have been reportedly injured in what victims say has been caused largely by “Rajputs” or upper caste Hindus in the region.Fresh clashes had broken out after Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati’s public meeting in Saharanpur district’s Shabbirpur village.

Victims claimed that they were attacked by members of the Thakur community with several weapons such as rods, wooden sticks and knives being used.

The town continues to be tense as both communities are reportedly holding secret meetings. Members of the Dalit community have allegedly fled the village for now.

he spiralling caste-based violence in the region has increased due to high “political undercurrents” and inaction by police, despite repeated warnings by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Read: Saharanpur clash: 1 killed, 24 injured after Mayawati’s rally

It all started when Dalits were denied permission by the Thakur community to install a statue of BR Ambedkar on the premises of the Ravidas temple in the village, in his honour.

In retaliation, the Dalit community on May 5 opposed a procession of Thakurs to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput king Maharana Pratap, thus triggering a hostile environment which led to the death of one Thakur and injuring over 15.

Fresh reports of scattered attacks emerged after Mayawati blamed the UP government for the clashes during a public meet in Shabbirpur village, the core of the violence. It was reported that victims – in small groups spread across different areas – were attacked when they were returning after attending the BSP supremo’s address.

The epicentre of the violence was in Shabbirpur village, which is not only home to around 600 Dalits and 900 Thakurs, but also several Muslims. Even Muslims were sucked into the violence that was primarily between the two communities.