After Muslims, the Dalit community was the second biggest casualty of the 2002 riots. Although they were the foot soldiers of the VHP and Bajrang Dal, they were abandoned after the riots. While most big Right-wing leaders were acquitted, the poor Dalit men were found guilty and punished. Post riots, the community went back to being politically and socially cornered. Barring a handful of NGOs there has been no support for the families of many of the Dalits who were arrested for the riots or those who died. Women of these families continue to bear the brunt of the situation. Even 20 years after the riots, they still bear the stigma of being related to men accused of rioting. Many of these women were forced to work as prostitutes, enrolled in drug trials, or began brewing country liquor.