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| Dalits stage mass rally in Mumbai | Dalits stage mass rally in Mumbai |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of thousands of low-caste Hindus, known as Dalits, have gathered in India's financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) for a mass rally. | Hundreds of thousands of low-caste Hindus, known as Dalits, have gathered in India's financial capital Mumbai (Bombay) for a mass rally. |
| The meeting is 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 a statue of Dr Ambedkar was vandalised in the northern city of Kanpur. | Security is tight because Dalit protesters rioted last week after a statue of Dr Ambedkar 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. |
| The meeting is being held in central Shivaji Park, where Dr Ambedkar was cremated 50 years ago. | The meeting is being held in central Shivaji Park, where Dr Ambedkar was cremated 50 years ago. |
| The park is packed with followers who had come from all over India to pay their homage to a man who fought against discrimination on the basis of caste. | |
| His followers, who were called untouchables, say that caste discrimination still existed in rural India. | His followers, who were called untouchables, say that caste discrimination still existed in rural India. |
| One man said he was not allowed to worship in his village temple which is dominated by higher caste priests. | One man said he was not allowed to worship in his village temple which is dominated by higher caste priests. |
| Iconic status | Iconic status |
| The authorities expect over 1.5 million people to visit the venue before the ceremony ends on Wednesday night. | The authorities expect over 1.5 million people to visit the venue before the ceremony ends on Wednesday night. |
| Senior police official Arup Patnaik, told the BBC that the police was on "high alert" and every policeman's leave had been cancelled for the day. | Senior police official Arup Patnaik, told the BBC that the police was on "high alert" and every policeman's leave had been cancelled for the day. |
| 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. |
| All police leave has been cancelled for the rally"At least 2,500 policemen will be stationed at the ground where most of the Dalits will be present," he said. | All police leave has been cancelled for the rally"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. |
| 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. |