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Security tight for Dalits' rally Thousands gather for India rally
(about 8 hours later)
Police in India's financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay), have stepped up security on the eve of a mass rally by low-caste Hindus, known as Dalits. Several thousand low-caste Hindus, known as Dalits, are gathering in India's financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) for a mass rally.
Tens of thousands are arriving in the city to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of their leader, BR Ambedkar. The meeting is to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of their leader, BR Ambedkar.
Security is tight because Dalit protesters rioted last week after Dr Ambedkar's statue was vandalised in the northern city of Kanpur.Security is tight because Dalit protesters rioted last week after Dr Ambedkar's statue was vandalised in the northern city of Kanpur.
At least three Dalits were killed and trains, cars and property were damaged.At least three Dalits were killed and trains, cars and property were damaged.
'High alert'
A senior official responsible for law and order in Mumbai, Arup Patnaik, told the BBC that he expected between 600,000 to 700,000 people to congregate on Wednesday in central Shivaji Park, where Dr Ambedkar was cremated 50 years ago.A senior official responsible for law and order in Mumbai, Arup Patnaik, told the BBC that he expected between 600,000 to 700,000 people to congregate on Wednesday in central Shivaji Park, where Dr Ambedkar was cremated 50 years ago.
Iconic status
"They come to the city every year to pay their respects and usually create no trouble, but of course we are concerned since so many people collect together in one place."They come to the city every year to pay their respects and usually create no trouble, but of course we are concerned since so many people collect together in one place.
Dalits say they still face discrimination
"We are on high alert and the entire force is on duty on 6 December."We are on high alert and the entire force is on duty on 6 December.
"We have cancelled every policeman's leave for the day," he said."We have cancelled every policeman's leave for the day," he said.
Mr Patnaik said the authorities had taken last week's incidents "into consideration" and additional paramilitary forces had been stationed at various places in Mumbai.Mr Patnaik said the authorities had taken last week's incidents "into consideration" and additional paramilitary forces had been stationed at various places in Mumbai.
"At least 2,500 policemen will be stationed at the ground where most of the Dalits will be present," he said. Dalits say they still face discrimination"At least 2,500 policemen will be stationed at the ground where most of the Dalits will be present," he said.
Police had asked the state government to declare 6 December a holiday but the administration decided against it, he added.Police had asked the state government to declare 6 December a holiday but the administration decided against it, he added.
However, as a safety measure, schools and colleges have been granted permission to remain closed.However, as a safety measure, schools and colleges have been granted permission to remain closed.
Iconic status
On Monday, police prevented leaders of the Republican Party of India - made up of low-caste people - from staging a rally in the central Indian town of Nagpur.On Monday, police prevented leaders of the Republican Party of India - made up of low-caste people - from staging a rally in the central Indian town of Nagpur.
Dr Ambedkar, a Dalit himself before converting to Buddhism, was the chief architect of the Indian constitution and enjoys iconic status among the people of the community.Dr Ambedkar, a Dalit himself before converting to Buddhism, was the chief architect of the Indian constitution and enjoys iconic status among the people of the community.
Dalits used to be known as untouchables, and were not included in the Hindu caste system, which has existed for thousands of years.Dalits used to be known as untouchables, and were not included in the Hindu caste system, which has existed for thousands of years.
While the caste system has been outlawed by the constitution, many Dalits still claim they are discriminated against and remain economically disadvantaged.While the caste system has been outlawed by the constitution, many Dalits still claim they are discriminated against and remain economically disadvantaged.