Folk singer booked for introducing fellow artist using his caste

Vadodara: Introducing a folk artist by identifying his caste during a ‘Santvani Dayro’ in Manjalpur has landed another folk artist in trouble.

Anil Pandya, who lives in Maneja, filed a complaint under sections of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Dilipkumar Bhansadiya at Manjalpur police station on Monday.

Pandya has alleged that he and several other artists including Bhansadiya were to perform in a ‘dayro’ held at Kalyanbaug Society during his friend’s brother’s marriage on December 17. Pandya, who claims to be a folk litterateur and a comedian, introduced all the artists before starting the program. Pandya said that soon after he finished introducing all artists, Bhansadiya introduced him by making mention of his caste.

Pandya stated in his complaint that Bhansadiya did not stop after using the casteist remark once but announced it several times on the microphone. “He knew that I am from a scheduled caste community yet he used such terms. If he wanted to introduce me, he could have used my name. Why did he have to use my caste?,” Pandya told TOI.

Pandya approached Bhansadiya after the program to raise the issue, but Bhansadiya told him that he just said it. Pandya said that there is no enmity between them and he does not know why Bhansadiya had to use such casteist slur. “I even called him later to confront, but he did not answer my calls,” said Pandya.

Pandya then approached Manjalpur police with his complaint and caste certificates on January 20 following which a complaint was registered. The case is being investigated by assistant commissioner of police (ST/ST cell).