Kanhaiya Lal says Dalits played a pivotal role in the rural economy by disposing dead cows — a role that farmers resist from doing even today. When we asked him where can we find the Dalits, he directed us to Jamuni village about 10 kilometres from Jayapur village in Varanasi district.
When we reached the Jamuni chauraha (crossing), we were surprised to see that Dalits who lived here for almost two decades have packed up and left.