Dalit labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur spoke to Preetha Nair about torture in custody and her resolve to fight for the rights of farmers and workers. Haryana Police had arrested the 24-year-old and charged her with attempted murder, extortion et al.
You alleged that you were sexually assaulted and tortured in police custody.
The police arrested me and took me to Kundli police station on January 12. They pulled my hair and dragged me into the van and I was beaten up inside the vehicle. They slapped and hit me with shoes and sticks on my private parts. I was bleeding heavily after that. No lady officer was present at the station. Four policemen sat on me and tortured. I couldn’t walk for days. Later, they took me to another police station at Sonipat at night and quarantined me for two days. I suffered multiple injuries in custody. But my medical report wasn’t made. It was 14 days after my lawyer obtained permission from the court that a medical was done.
You said police hurled caste abuses.
The police kept saying that I am a Dalit and I should behave like one. “Your job is to clean the gutters. Who gave you the right to organise protests against big people?” I was asked. They used abusive language to intimidate me. The police were miffed that I stood up against the rich and powerful. Is it a crime to demand our rights? The police are hand in glove with factory owners.
The police have denied the charges.
It will be illusory to think that the police will admit. Medical reports don’t lie. I got bail on the basis of medical reports.
You are charged with attempt to murder.
The police picked me up from the Kundli industrial area during a protest against delay in payment of wages by factory owners. I have been working in a glass factory since August and also associated with the Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan. When the farmers’ protest began on the Singhu border, we were inspired by it. During our protests, we always faced attacks from thugs in Kundli, and sometimes, they fired shots. On January 12, the goondas came too and clashes happened. However, police took their side and arrested me under various charges.
You were in jail for 46 days. What is the condition of female inmates in jail?
Horrific. I was shocked to listen to their stories. Some of the girls were continuously raped for 15 days. Some had their private parts mutilated, legs and arms broken. There were more than 200 women in the cell where I was kept. Most of them belonged to poor and backward communities.
Aren’t you scared of speaking out?
No. Being a Dalit and poor, our life is never easy. We have always faced discrimination. My mother is a labourer and a trade union activist. I have seen how Dalits and workers get exploited. I have learned that we can’t achieve anything without fighting.
Do you regret dropping your studies?
I dropped out after Class 12 because of financial constraints. Now I am happy about the work I am doing. A degree is futile when we don’t enjoy basic rights and freedom.
