Muzaffarpur, India – Nirali Kumari* is a 55-year-old mother who recently lost her 14-year-old daughter to a horrifying crime in the village of Paroo in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. The young girl, belonging to the Dalit community, was found raped and murdered in a paddy field near their home, sparking fear and tension among the villagers.
A historical system of feudal rule still prevails in Bihar, leading to instances of friction between the dominant caste and the Dalit community. In the case of Nirali Kumari’s daughter, the primary defendant, an influential landlord named Sanjay Rai, has been arrested along with four Dalit men for murder and conspiracy.
The incident points towards systemic caste oppression and sheds light on the increasing crimes against Dalit women in India. Dalit families face challenges in reporting such crimes due to economic reliance on landlords and fear of retribution.
As the family seeks justice, they are forced to flee the village, leaving behind their belongings. The story of Nirali Kumari’s family highlights the plight of Dalits in the country, who often feel invisible and treated like criminals in the face of violence and oppression.
*Names have been changed