Dalit community breaks 150-year barrier by electing its first village leader

A wooden elephant carried more than tradition—it bore the weight of change. For the first time, a Dalit leader will decide the fate of **the village** once ruled by caste.

, and Administrator

2025 November 28 . 3:13 PM

1 min read

This is a book. On the book we can see the painting of the people and text.

Dalit community breaks 150-year barrier by electing its first village leader

For the first time in nearly 150 years, the Dalit community of Bijnu Bijnad village in Uttarakhand has elected its own leader. The newly chosen 'Syana' (village head) marks a historic shift in a region where caste traditions have long dictated governance. His ceremonial parade atop a wooden elephant symbolised the community’s newfound autonomy.

The Jaunsar-Bawar region has traditionally followed a system where a single 'Syana' oversaw multiple villages. This role was always reserved for affluent, non-Dalit families, leaving lower castes excluded from decision-making. The post, established during British rule, held authority over local disputes and village representation.

The appointment of a Dalit 'Syana' alters how Bijnu Bijnad village governs itself. Local disputes and community matters will now include direct Dalit representation, ending a century-old exclusion. This change signals a broader shift in how caste dynamics shape village leadership in the Jaunsar-Bawar region.