Two men, siblings of an upper caste in the central eastern state of Madhya Pradesh have been arrested for killing two children of a lower caste for defecating in the open in a village road.

Roshni, 12 and Avinash, 10  belonging to the caste of Dalits (untouchables) were beaten to death with sticks for defecating near Bhakedi village road in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh in India.

These two children were believed to be on their way to see their grandfather.

“The two children were beaten to death with sticks,” Police Superintendent, Rajesh Chandel said. BBC Hindi

The children were taken to the district hospital where the doctors declared both of them dead.

“We have registered a murder case against both the accused. They are being questioned,” Mr Chandel further added.

“These two innocent children did not have proper toilet facilities in their home,”

The local deputy superintendent, Viren Singh said that defecating in Bhakedi village was banned.

The authorities have given the family 60,000 rupees ($845) in financial assistance for the funeral costs and other expenses. CNN World news 

Under India’s law, they will also receive 400,000 rupees ($5,600) in compensation.

“As a daily wage labourer, I cannot afford to build a toilet in my house,” late Avinash’s father Manoj said. BBC news

Children and women are in constant risk in doing so.

Caste-related violence in India has always been a growing concern.

Dalits are at the lowest rank in the Hindu caste system and make 16% of the population, yet still face discrimination in India despite laws in force to protect them.

This caste group is seen as ‘unclean’, hence untouchable by higher castes.

In November, a 13-year-old Dalit girl was beheaded in Salem district of the southern state of Tamil Nadu. CNN World reports

Feedback: jennis.naidu@fijisun.com.fj