Filed under: Caste dynamics, International activism, dalit atrocity, democratic activism | 1 Comment
Open Letter to President Barack Obama : An appeal to pursue during Indian Prime Minister’s visit
November 21, 2009
The Honorable Barack Obama,
President of the United States,
The White House,
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President,
First of all thank you for committing to an open and all accessible administration structure in the history of America that has far-reaching consequences in different parts of the globe wherever democratic disfunctionalities exist. With this letter, we expect your enlightened interest in restoring, qualitatively, the human rights for Dalits in forthcoming US-India bilateral dialogues.
World sets into a hope for more peaceful world in times when you were honored with Nobel Peace Prize. Indian sub-continent is still locked in an unaccounted social suffering zone that delivers huge economic subjugation for 250 million Dalits. Dalits are suffering since 3000 years due to evil Hindu caste based hierarchical system. By any scale, they would form the fifth largest ‘Nation -body’ in the world.
Leaving aside the unaccounted incidences of apartheid crime in India, the Indian government reports (Crime in India) summarise as followes
“Every hour two Dalits are assaulted,
Every day three Dalit women are raped,
Every day two Dalits are murdered
& two Dalit houses are burnt in India.”
During modern times, the realm of social activism for uprooting caste system was intiated by the most prominent civil rights leader in India, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar (the chief architect of Indian Constitution). It is worth noting that he had several communications with WEB Du bois and many other world leaders to stand against the ghost of prejudices mainly against Blacks, Jews, Dalits and minorities. Despite his hardships his fellowmen, Dalits, still remain at bay in social progression in 21st century.
On behalf of Dalit Community, we earnestly request you to address the issues of Dalit human rights violations in India. Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh will be the first leader to receive a ‘State Wellcome ‘at White House after you sworn in as President. Recently Dr. Manmohan Singh has drawn a parallel between racial apartheid and untouchability in India. He also reiterated in emotional tone this “unique discrimination is a blot on humanity”. However, State policy commitments of Indian Governments remained far off from actualising the promises and sentiments echoed by Dr. Singh. Dalit stock is only seen as a political wedge and an emotinal scapegoat that can not rely successive Emotional Governments to better its socio-economic and political conditions unless international body enforces rational indicators for Dalit betterment. This is for all inclusive development of the world where communities seek equitable participation, there is less political about it.
USA has proud history of fighting against the racism and apartheid, and also shown commitment to fight similar human rights violation elsewhere in the world. India and also many other countries are proud of India for its largest democracy in the world, however in-spite of laws and speeches by leaders the situations of Dalit/untouchables substantially remained unaltered after the 60 years of independent democracy.
While you dialogue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the White House on the issues of economic cooperation, science-technology partnership, we also expect that you will take this opportunity to directly communicate your concerns about human rights violations of Dalits in India.
We all appeal you with a deep sense of gratitude to have a dialogue with Dr. Singh on possible steps to be taken on substantive improvements in the lives of “ex-untouchables” who are most vulnerable to indignity, hatred, hunger deaths, and human rights violations.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What Dalit humanity expect from US to show their commitment to follow their promises
- Engaging US delegation in India to support for common cause of equality and justice and if there is violation of human rights of Dalit they should jointly take up stands and do act against ‘untouchability’ and caste related human rights violations.
- The US House con. Resolution no. 139 calls on the United States government to work with India to address the problem of untouchability by raising the issue of caste discrimination through diplomatic channels and encouraging US businesses, USAID, the State Department, World Bank, and other US programs and organizations working in India to take every possible measure to ensure Dalits are included and are not discriminated against in their programming. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=hc110-139
- Support for non-discriminatory policies towards ‘Dalits’ or ‘untouchables’ at international human rights and development institutions and agencies.
- Encouraging US corporate in India to introduce non-discriminatory and equal opportunity policies for Dalits.
- Push for Indian governments’ better performance on US annual reports on Human Rights, Freedom to Religion and most important Trafficking in Person (India is put at Tier II watch list for many years) specifically address the issue of untouchability as major cause of trafficking, and human rights violations.
- TIP-2007 Report. Pg. 213 “There is a group of people in India numbering about 250 million that has been oppressed for 3000 years. These people, the dalits, who are traditionally knows as “outcastes” or “untouchables,” are barred from many activities and economic opportunities, and often end up in slave-like bonded labor. They are even forced to drink water from disposable clay cups and separate wells so that no upper caste person will risk contamination by a Dalit’s uncleanliness.”
- According to a 2005 ILO report-”Caste and Slavery in South Asia”- the overwhelming majority of bonded laborers in India are from the lower castes/Dalits (Cited in TIP 2006 Report)
- If your joint press conference reaffirm US-India commitment against untouchability in South Asia, such a joint declaration will send a strong signal to the world community to stand up to remove this blot on humanity and encourage to take substantial actions on abolition of untouchability.
Thank you so much !
Yours Sincerely,
All the members of Ambedkar International Mission, USA
&
Ambedkar Association of North America, USA
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Friends, What you can do-à
1. Please try putting comments/opinions on various blogs like Atrocitynews and also think put your comments on http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ . You can mention the above link while putting up the comment
2. Fax the letter to White house on your organization letter head -FAX: 202-456-2461
What else you can also do is a. you may think putting messages and link of this open letter to as many congressman in USA as possible ex. Hilary Clinton, etc
b.you may write to various blogs,facebook, myspace and various groups which are supportive to Dalit cause . Comment on YouTube with Slideshare ,simultaneously, organizations can endorse this appeal and fax it to the Whitehouse.
Filed under: Affirmative action, Caste dynamics, International activism, dalit atrocity | 14 Comments
Thousands of people of Indian origin, 71 per cent of whom were Dalits, face caste discrimination in Britain, says a new report, leading to demands in the country for making it illegal.
The report, titled “Voice of the Community — A Study into Caste and Caste Discrimination in the UK”, says that the caste system is widespread and that it affects thousands of people in the workplace, the classroom and even the doctor’s surgery. British law currently does not protect people who suffer caste-based discrimination. The issue was also discussed at the committee stage of the Equality Bill 2009 in the House of Commons in June this year, but the government said evidence of this was lacking.
The new study, whose main conclusion was that there is “considerable evidence of caste-based discrimination among the Asians in Britain,” was coordinated by the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance (ACDA), and included academics from three British universities. ACDA hoped that the study will provide evidence to the government to make caste discrimination illegal. The study suggests that 58 per cent of the 300 people surveyed said they had been discriminated against because of their caste, while in another query 79 per cent said they did not think the police would understand if they tried to report a caste-related “hate crime”.
Source: Economic Times
Filed under: Caste dynamics | Leave a Comment
Following is a painful letter from a High official in Govt of India public sector undertaking. The words melt the heart seeing the injustice meted out which are in invisible form and defunct National commission instead of working as watchdong for SC & ST rights becoming political centre for corruption. Doing nothing!..
Dear Atrocity News,
This blog is a very precious work for the people, who at present are being exploited from everywhere, even by those who have the duty to protect them. Such platforms, like this blog, can support the oppressed people in their quest for justice against the deeply rooted hatred cultivating systems of Indian society.
As you are organising this battle against the atrocities & discriminations of this cruel casteist system, I want to know from you – what to do when even the constitutional authorities (Commission for Scheduled Castes) do not give justice to the sufferers, against the caste based harassment & discrimination, even in those cases where these atrocities are well proven ? Where the sufferer will go then for the justice?
I am working as a General Manager (Marketing) in a government of India organisation. In my case, I am a victim of the caste based tendencies of the top officers, a who do not want any dalit officer, at any cost, at the controlling positions in the organisation. I have an excellent service record and also have all the required qualifications & job experience to handle any responsibility in the organisation. But, to keep me away from the responsible position, these people have been using various methods to show fake & manipulated grounds and to cause all possible hardships & torture (physically as well as mentally). Whenever I have questioned these mala-fide actions & plans, they have humiliated me, also pointing out my caste & category. Also, for last some time, they have made me sit idle without work, in order to implement their above caste based plans..
This is further painful that the most important government authority for protection against these atrocities – Commission for Scheduled Castes has not given the justice despite timetaking repeated correspondence with them. On repeated persuasion, Hearing & Police Inquiry (by the Commission) have been conducted, but no justice inspite of this. Commission’s purpose has been only to close the case by writing that there is no violation of reservation & safeguard rules for scheduled castes.
- GENERAL MANAGER (MARKETING), in a Government Undertaking (PSU), New Delhi
We ,at Atrocitynews, call for people movement against the Defunct /fraudulent National commission for SC/ST…Lets encourage people’s March on this fake Commission>>>
Filed under: Affirmative action, dalit atrocity, democratic deficit | 3 Comments
Alex from Australia writes to Atrocitynews:
I am an Australian, for some reason some of you may think that just because this article has been written by an Australian journalist that all Australians agree with his opinion. This is in reference to Uday Bhan and I am offended by your comments!!! It is true however that the majority of Australians would have no idea about how the caste system works, so here lies some of the problems. obviously there is no caste system in Australia and caste is not the same thing as class. To most Australians the notion of caste is abhorent, in that your circumstances are determined form birth and that you cant change your caste.
However I think that from an Australian perspective that the team should be selected based on talent and ability alone. I live in Lauceston the town where Ricky Ponting grew up and I can assure you that it is far from an elitist town. Glenn McGrath another player who lived out of a caravan in his early club cricket days.
According to my research the Brahman makes up around 4% of the indian population, but according to most sources makes up at least 50% of the selected players. My problem is not with the Brahman caste, but why so few of the Shudra, and partucularly the Datlits have been selected. Sure there have been a few individual cases for example Vinod Kambli, but for the most there seems to have been only one other Dalit selected being Balwanth Paloo. My question is to anyone who whishes to answer this question:
Surely the Indian team should be picked on talent and ability alone, why then have been very few Dalits selected? Is it because the don’t have the same ability as those of the Brahman and upper castes, or are there other influences that determine this.
I indeed have not written this to cause offence, rather to open up this debate. If I have offended in anyway I appologise for any offence caused.
….Alex
Thanks Alex, may this open up a constructive dialoguefor fair “Indian Super 11 team of upper caste Cricket” !
Khub Manao Diwali !
Khub Khelo Cricket,
Caste India WINs always!
Filed under: Affirmative action, Caste dynamics | 2 Comments
The Supreme Court has upheld the life sentences awarded to 17 members of the upper castes, who had killed 6 members of the Scheduled Caste community.
In all, 40 people were charged with murder, rioting, unlawful assembly and also under Section 3(1)(x) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The trial judge convicted the 17 people for murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Madras High Court also dismissed the appeals of Alagarsamy and others.
A bench comprising Justices V S Sirpurkar and Deepak Verma, while dismissing the appeal of all the 17 appellants noted ‘After all, the FIR is not a be all and end-all of the matter though it is undoubtedly a very important document.
In most of the cases the FIR provides corroboration to the evidence of the maker there of. It provides a direction to the investigating officer and the necessary clue about the crime and perpetrators thereof.
True it is that a concocted FIR, where in some innocent people are deliberately introduced as accused people, raises a reasonable doubt about the prosecution story.’ Justice Sirpurkar while writing the 30-page judgement for the bench yesterday also noted ‘We cannot blame the investigating agency and the prosecution for not being able to trace out the FIR book.
There are always wheels within a wheel and therefore there can also be a possibility of some interested person secreting the said FIR book.
The question is whether the non-availability of the FIR book, by itself, could invite the suspicious glance from the court. In our opinion that circumstance, by itself, will not persuade us to throw the whole prosecution case.’ The unfortunate incident had occurred on June 30, 1997, when angry upper castes attacked the members of SC community (Adidravida community) after their man was elected as the Pradhan of the village.
Source: IndlawsNews
Filed under: Caste dynamics, democratic activism | Leave a Comment
A team of four NGOs that went on a fact-finding mission to T Veppankulam village in Virudhunagar district following a clash between Dalits and caste Hindus, reported that the entire Dalit population of the village had been terrorised and moved to another locality.
On October 3, villagers were being photographed for ID cards for the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme. According to Prof A Marx of the People’s Union for Human Rights, Kannan, a caste Hindu, was in charge of taking the photos. Some Dalit youths asked him why the photos of the Dalits in the village were not being taken. Allegedly enraged at this questioning, Kannan along with some others three Dalit youths. “They then chased all of the 36 families from the village. They were initially not even allowed to lodge a complaint,” B Shenbagavalli, of the Centre for Working Women, said.
On October 24, four NGOs went to T Veppankulam, about 40 km from Madurai. “We found that the families had fled in fear to Chinna Kariyapatti, a nearby village, where they were staying in a small, ramshackle shed. There are no toilet or cooking facilities. The children have not been able to go back to their village school and the men have not been able to go for work since the clash,” she said.
The district authorities held two peace meetings between both groups, but the caste Hindus insisted that the Dalit should follow their tradition, but the Dalits refused, she said. Police complaints were filed. But again, according to the activists, the Dalits were prevented for some time from filing their complaint, which led to the caste Hindus filing a complaint against the Dalits.
The activists have now decided to approach the Virudhunagar Collector to intervene in the issue.
Source: IndianExpress
Filed under: Caste dynamics, democratic deficit | Leave a Comment
A letter: Caste Agony
Following is the comment from a reader of Atrocitynews, Mr. Chandraih from Pondicherry. Readers please reflect on how the caste virus has mingled among elite Indian psyche.
This is a very useful website for me to understand and fight against state of prejudice against SC/ST .
I have applied for the post of professor reserved for SC in Pondicherry University. I was not selected despite of my achievements and other qualifications. It was a bitter experience for me being a senior faculty also working as reader with 5year of experience.The post is learnt to be de-reserved now and re-advertised for open category. What shall I do if I want to fight for the rights.
Sincerely,
Chandraiah
…………..
Dear Chandraih,
We, at Atrocitynews, advice you to take this battle head on. Try to seek in written your disqualification reasons from the committee. Get their names and Photographs along with old advertisement details for the faculty position. Please do post everything on website also send it to atrocity@cooltoad.com so that anybody can access the matter for long time to come. You may also appeal to the National SC Commission simultaneously.
Lets do it together! Fight for Dignity is on>> here and now>>
Atrocitynews Team.
Filed under: Affirmative action | 1 Comment
Vedas: The hidden slavery
Below is the cover of (Marathi version) ’ Vedas: Source of slavery”.
Please ask for the audio-cd at sanvad.dialogue@gmail.com. You may visit the scholarly profile of a leading Activist from India , Dr. A. H. Salunkhe, who was Former Dean of Sanskrit Department at Shahu Maharaj University, India @ www.drahsalunkhe.wordpress.com
Pic 01: Vedas: Source of slavery, an Audio-CD for sale
Filed under: democratic activism | Leave a Comment
Castiest Gandhi killed his wife
The Ottawa City Council voted to place a statue of Gandhi in Strathcona Park (Sandy Hill). We oppose this statue for many reasons which have been previously covered. There are so many good reasons to oppose ever allowing such a statue that it is difficult to find space for covering them all. However, one more reason which we believe demands immediate attention has just recently come to our notice.
As documented in the book “100 Things You’re Not Suppose to Know” by Russ Kirk (The Disinformation Company, 2008), there is a disturbing conclusion to the story of the death of Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba. Kirk sums up the problem with the following title: “Gandhi refused to let his dying wife take penicillin yet took quinine to save himself.” This incident further reveals Gandhi’s stunning hypocrisy as he spent his life masking his actions of intolerance and racism with words of peace and love. We have included the full story of Kasturba’s death below.
A man who treated his wife in such a thoughtless and self-serving manner should never be honored with a statue in Ottawa.
—–
[The following is an excerpt from pp. 167-169 of 100 THINGS YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW by Russ Kick]
GANDHI REFUSED TO LET HIS DYING WIFE TAKE PENICILLIN YET TOOK QUININE TO SAVE HIMSELF
Gandhi is often ranked, directly or subtly, alongside Jesus Christ and Martin Luther King Jr. as one of the greatest peacemakers – indeed, one of the greatest human beings – of all time. The mythology that surrounds him – which he built, leaving his followers, admirers, and hagiographers to reinforce and embellish – has almost completely smothered the many unflattering facts about him.
In such a compact book, space doesn’t permit a full exploration of Gandhi’s numerous, consequential skeletons – his racism toward blacks and whites, his betrayal of the Untouchables, his acquiescence toward the Nazis. Instead let’s focus on something more personal and, in some ways, more upsetting.
In August 1942, Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba, among others, were imprisoned by the British in Aga Khan Palace, near Poona. Kasturba had poor circulation and she’d weathered several heart attacks. While detained in the palace, she developed bronchial pneumonia. One of her four sons, Devadas, wanted her to take penicillin. Gandhi refused. He was okay with her receiving traditional remedies, such as water from the Ganges, but he refused her any medicines, including this newfangled antibiotic, saying that the Almighty would have to heal her.
“The Life and Death of Mahatma Gandhi” quotes him on February 19, 1944; “If God wills it, He will pull her through.” “Gandhi: A Life” adds this wisdom from the Mahatma: “You cannot cure your mother now, no matter what wonder drugs you may muster. She is in God’s hands now.” Three days later, Devadas was still pushing for the penicillin, but Gandhi shot back: “Why don’t you trust God?” Kasturba died that day.
The next night, Gandhi cried out: “But how God tested my faith!” He told one of Kasturba’s doctors that the antibiotic wouldn’t have saved her and that allowing her to have it “would have meant the bankruptcy of my faith.” (Emphasis mine.)
But Gandhi’s faith wasn’t much of an obstacle a short time later when it was his ass on the line. A mere six weeks after Kasturba died, Gandhi was flattened by malaria. He stuck to an all-liquid diet as his doctors tried to convince him to take quinine. But Gandhi completely refused and died of the disease, right? No, actually, after three weeks of deterioration, he took the diabolical drug and quickly recovered. The stuff about trusting God’s will and testing faith only applied when his wife’s life hung in the balance. When he needed a drug to stave off the Grim Reaper, down the hatch it went.
Source: BC
Filed under: Caste dynamics | 2 Comments
Tags: Gnadhi and caste
The validity of caste virus outside India is not clear yet by Indian officials. However in practice, the Indian society is surviving within psychological barriers those are directly spurted from birth. Of late few activists daring to bring out such discriminatory attitudes upfront. Killing it is farther task. No surprises…denial are many especially from Hindu Temples.
Please watch this BBC interview with Shiv Garu an artist, a singer to understand rawness of caste system outside India. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
Filed under: Caste dynamics, International activism | Leave a Comment
A Statement from Ms. Navanethem Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission.
A group of representatives from caste-affected communities in Asia recently gave me a piece of brick from the wall of a torn-down latrine. The brick symbolized the global struggle against the degrading practice of making members of a “lower caste” clean public toilets with their bare hands. This practice, which persists in many places despite increasing prohibition in law, is not the workers’ choice. It is rather a task that they inherit because of their social origins and descent. In turn, these discriminated individuals are further “contaminated” by their work and further trapped in a generational cycle of social exclusion and marginalization. Today caste-affected communities and civil society activists are hoping to tear down the much bigger invisible wall of discrimination by trying to promote new international standards of equality and non-discrimination. I have tremendous respect for their determination and courage. As a woman of color from a racial minority growing up in apartheid South Africa, I know a thing or two about discrimination.
“Untouchability” is a social phenomenon affecting approximately 260 million persons worldwide. This type of discrimination is typically associated with the notions of ritual purity and pollution which are deeply rooted in different societies and cultures. The problem is neither confined to one geographical area nor exclusively practiced within one particular religion of belief system. It is a global phenomenon. Caste is the very negation of the human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination. It condemns individuals from birth and their communities to a life of exploitation, violence, social exclusion and segregation. Caste-discrimination is not only a human rights violation, but also exposes those affected to other abuses of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. “Lower caste” individuals are frequently confined to hereditary, low-income employment and deprived of access to agricultural land and credit. They often find themselves battling high levels of indebtedness or even debt and labor bondage, which is practically a contemporary form of slavery. The barriers they face in seeking justice or redress are formidable. Child labor is rampant in descent-based communities and children of “lower castes” suffer high levels of illiteracy. For women, caste is a multiplier that compounds their experience of poverty and discrimination.Laws and policies have been put in place in many to combat this scourge. Constitutions prohibit caste-based discrimination and “lower caste” members have been elected to the highest offices of the land. Special legislation has been enacted to provide for affirmative action in education and employment, as well as protection from violence and exploitation. Judiciaries have sought to enforce laws and provide relief to victims. Dedicated institutions monitor the conditions and advocate on behalf of “lower caste” groups.
At the international level, the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination explicitly lists descent as a ground of racial discrimination. The Durban Declaration and Program of Action, adopted at the World Conference on Racism in 2001, recognized descent-based discrimination. It also provided a comprehensive roadmap to combat it which was reaffirmed by states in April this year. Yet, there is a real need for targeted social policies and programs to address caste-based discrimination. It is imperative to implement education programs that can change deeply rooted systemic, cultural and social prejudices, customs, beliefs and traditions based on descent, power and affluence. Above all, caste-affected communities must be given a voice and full participation in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies aimed at empowering them. The international community should come together to support these efforts as it did when it helped put an end to apartheid.
This action to stem an abhorrent form of marginalization and exclusion which traps the victims in hopelessness and poverty is long overdue. We owe it to those “lower-caste” families forced to leave their village because they dared to vote in a parliamentary election against the favored candidate of the upper caste. We owe it to the villagers belonging to the lowest social class starving to death because they were not able to benefit from the public services which they were entitled to. We owe it to that “lower caste” woman assaulted, publicly humiliated and forced to eat her own excreta by members of the upper caste community accusing her of witchcraft. All caste-victims demand and deserve remedies. The plight of hundreds of millions cannot be justified as age-old traditions, nor can it be regarded merely as a “family business.” The Human Rights Council, the premier intergovernmental body for the protection and promotion of human rights, should promote the 2009 Draft Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Elimination of Discrimination based on Work and Descent. This study complements existing international standards of non-discrimination. All states must rally around and endorse these norms. The time has come to eradicate the shameful concept of caste. Other seemingly insurmountable walls, such as slavery and apartheid, have been dismantled in the past. We can and must tear down the barriers of caste too.
This opinion piece was released on 8 October 2009
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984. The above statement has only been forwarded by the AHRC.
Filed under: Affirmative action, Caste dynamics, International activism, democratic activism | Leave a Comment
In an interview with Shekhar Gupta for an Indian National Newspaper, Indias leading constitutional expert observes Indian courts are not ruled by ‘rule of law’ but by ‘judice of caste-connections’.
Fali Sam Narimanhas been President of the Bar Association of India, President of International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), VP- ICC (International Chamber of Commerce), Member of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), , Padma Bhushan, President of LAWASIA (Law Association for Asia and the Pacific),on Advisory Board of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Following are his views:
“…the greatest problem with our courts, high courts particularly, is the problem of caste. If you are a lawyer belonging to a particular caste appearing before a judge of such and such caste, you will either lose or win depending upon your caste”.
He goes on to push the idea of a judicial ombudsman as a check built into the system to “inquire into the complaints against High Court judges and Supreme Court judges. Keep it to himself, quietly consult the Chief Justice, take his views and move in a particular direction”.
But the Dinakaran case, has surely taken out serious lacunae in the Indian judicial system portraying a dynamite in the form of caste mindsets. Such caste tendencies are inflicting atrocities on oppressed lower castes especially Dalits. India is standing on caste dynamite, for sure, that would blow up nation in no time !
Naxals getting easy fuel! What you say readers?
Lets connect minds to save HUMANE India>>
Filed under: Caste dynamics, democratic deficit | Leave a Comment
Tags: castiest judiciary
Importantly, NCSC headed by Buta Singh has charged the Manmohan Singh government of encouraging anti-Dinakaran protestors. It said, “Unfortunately, the Union government is keeping silent which has given sufficient room to the media to play upon the constitutional rights of SCs as granted in the Constitution.” In a statement, NCSC said that the campaign was motivated by caste bias against Dinakaran who is an SC. It said the campaign was carried out by “anti-dalit and casteist elements in Bar Council of India, Bars of states and judicial activists who are known for having cateist attitude towards the increasing strength of SC/STs in the judicial services of the country”. The opposition to Justice Dinakaran’s elevation to Supreme Court has turned into a full-blown confrontation, with political outfits pitching in. The statement from NCSC adds to the caste dimension. The NCSC said, “If the tirade against SCs in judiciary is not stopped, the commission will be dutybound to take stock of the situation which has arisen from the unabashed and continuous campaign of vilification against CJI K G Balakrishnan and Justice Dinakaran.” In another case of caste dimension in judicial appointments, parliamentary forum of OBC MPs has written to law minister Veerappa Moily against the appointment of four judges to Andhra Pradesh HC. In a letter, OBC forum chairman Hanumantha Rao complained that none of the four appointed judges were from OBC/SC/ST/woman categories even though ten of them had applied.
Filed under: dalit atrocity | 2 Comments
NOt India but Nepal has emerged as the first country from South Asia — the region where untouchability has been traditionally practiced — to declare support for the draft principles and guidelines published by UNHRC four months ago for “effective elimination of discrimination based on work and descent” — the UN terminology for caste inequities.
In a side-event to the session on September 16, Nepalese minister Jeet Bahadur Darjee Gautam said his county welcomed the idea mooted by the UNHRC document to involve “regional and international mechanism, the UN and its organs” to complement national efforts to combat caste discrimination. This is radically different from India’s stated aversion to the internationalization of the caste problem. Much to India’s embarrassment, Nepal’s statement evoked an immediate endorsement from the office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Navanethem Pillay, a South African Tamil. Besides calling Nepal’s support “a significant step by a country grappling with this entrenched problem itself”, Pillay’s office said it would “like to encourage other states to follow this commendable example”. The reference to India was unmistakable especially since Pillay had pressed the issue during her visit to New Delhi in March. Pillay not only asked India to address “its own challenges nationally, but show leadership in combating caste-based discrimination globally”. The granddaughter of an indentured labourer taken to South Africa from a village near Madurai, Pillay recalled that in 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had compared untouchability to apartheid. Adding to India’s discomfiture, Sweden, in its capacity as the president of the Europeon Union, said, “caste-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination based on work and descent is an important priority for EU”. If this issue continues to gather momentum, UNHRC may in a future session adopt the draft principles and guidelines and, to impart greater legal force, send them for adoption to the UN General Assembly. The draft principles specifically cited caste as one of the grounds on which more than 200 million people in the world suffer discrimination. “This type of discrimination is typically associated with the notion of purity and pollution and practices of untouchability, and is deeply rooted in societies and cultures where this discrimination is practiced,” it said. Though India succeeded in its efforts to keep caste out of the resolution adopted by the 2001 Durban conference on racism, the issue has since re-emerged in a different guise, without getting drawn into the debate over where caste and race are analogous.
SOurce: TOI
Filed under: Caste dynamics, International activism | 1 Comment
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk T. Murugiah has proposed that the registration of caste-based Indian associations be abolished to avoid a split in the community, especially among the Tamils.He said the Home Ministry should enforce stricter vetting on applications for setting up of associations which were based on caste because, if not monitored, they could split the Tamil community.
“If we want to talk about racial unity, the caste system should be addressed first, only then unity can be strengthened,” he told reporters after opening the World Tamil Unity Conference 2009 here on Saturday.The three-day conference, which began yesterday, aims to find new ideas to strengthen relations among the Tamil community in Malaysia, as well as in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and South Africa.Murugiah said he would write a letter to, as well as meet with, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to convey the matter.He said that there were more than 20 caste-based Indian associations registered in the country so far.In another development, Murugiah, who had been expelled from the People Progressive Party, reiterated his stand not to join any opposition parties, despite having received offers to do so.
“I’m still looking for a suitable platform to continue with my political career, but I will not join or form a new party as it will only split the Indian community in the country, ” he added.
Source: Newswire
Filed under: Caste dynamics, International activism | Leave a Comment
Following is the sample of worst caste-brutality surfacing out of elite Indian educational system. This is part of ongoing inflictions unceasingly practiced in Nehru’s temples of technology. Is India Inc. listening?
A letter from a alumnus of IT BHU is placed for perusal..The nightmare he faced due to his caste is just inhuman. Active Netizens…..Come on ..Lets rise-up against such an obnoxious act..
From: Batch of 2002
Subject: Putting excreta in mouth and torturing an IIT-JEE selected Dalit student in IT-BHU
Sir, I did my B.tech. from IT-BHU (2002-2007). But my course was not of technology education but an extremely dirty and painful experience for being a Schedule Caste student. I was attacked by my batchmates mostly Brahmins. They tried to mentally paralyze me by torturing and using most abusive words regularly. I was also tortured by the teachers. When the case became extremely serious I complained to the Vice Chancellor ,BHU. An enquiry committee was set up but not a single action was ever taken.
The director of IT-BHU Mr. S.N.Upadhyay and the Dean , BHU Mr. V.K. Kumra deliberately suppressed the matter and pressurised me not to make any complaints further. My case is extremely serious but I have become absolutely helpless and diappointed . I seek your legal help and moral support to get justice- stern action against the culprits.
Regards,
R. Raman
Filed under: dalit atrocity | 1 Comment
In a shocking incident, a Dalit was set on fire in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district for refusing to give in to the demands of a moneylender and his supporters.Narayan Singh Khangaar is battling for his life. The 56-year-old Dalit farmer has nearly 60 per cent burn injuries and was set ablaze, allegedly by a moneylender and some powerful members of his village.
Pic 01 : Caste: Burns people alive, deep pain
Two years ago, Narayan had taken a loan of Rs 70,000 from the moneylender and mortgaged his land. He repaid the loan in due course and was demanding the loan papers back from the money lender. Narayan’s wife is dead and he has no heir.The moneylender wanted to grab Narayan’s two acres of land, as villagers allege.”Narayan had mortgaged his land and taken a loan from the money lender. Meanwhile, the moneylender refused to give back the land and got it registered in his own wife’s name when Narayan reiterated his demand for getting his land back. They burnt him alive,” said Govind, a village guard.A case of attempt to murder has been registered against four people, including the moneylender; all of them are on the run. The administration says the guilty will not get away.
Shivpuri has a notorious record of crime against Dalits. This is the third such incident in the last year, and many fear this may not be the last.
Source: NDTV
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After 3 generations of Congress rule in India, first time ever Prime Minister of India felt pangs of caste atrocities. Over the years naked dance of caste hatred among Indian societies widely exported wherever Indians travel may it be Australia, USA, UK or South Korea which has not come in the BOP (Balance of Payment). In order to proliferate the’ Caste Tree’ , known strategy is to fund and to build Community Based Temples (ISKON, SWAMINARAYAN ) , also invite Gandhian politicians for inaugural sessions for celebrity-public backing . The tradition of watering sapling that bears venomous fruits is obvious in such caste-culture. The hate for lower caste Indians in and around world seems consequential. Many forums we see today among elite-castiest Indians standing up merely to protect self interests and to oppose the affirmative actions on false grounds of merit. Infosys Chairman Mr Narayan Murthi has too set a silent role into this design. Caste based Hindu ideological sphere is mushrooming . PM is not shocked at this, No Surprises!
What’s more shocking is Prime Minister’s political statement regarding his early priority as cleansing Indian picture in the eyes of External world and therefore subsiding caste Atrocities in the Police station, instead of acting sharp on the societal ill practices. Such an overt understanding mounts more sufferings to Dalit communities in India who constitute 25% iNDIAN population. The entire objective behind curbing the Caste Atrocities at national level is taken as part of policy ‘development paradigm ‘ while it remains long to be seen how the Top officials including PM put up priority actions at strategic cultural level. They have not done in past (and they will not do in future?) as most of their blood educates in high Mansions of sophistry. How can they think of Enlightened India full of dignity and hope ! For them Enlightened Indian is status Quo. For some it is Gandhi’s Varnashrma, for some its KLUX KLAN, for some it is RAMRAJYA where certain sections/castes enjoy privileges over rest under the misnomer of KARMA. Till eternity sanctions from Vedic shibboleths have prepared India indistinct from wild animal culture. Unless constitutional ethics are emboldened in public life, no PM can feel safe about India live aside the developmental (economy) goals.
In his speech, PM quoted Caste Atrocity convictions are little below 30% . This is a big lie. People of India thru this forum ask him from where he quoted this figure? A year not passed, Crime Reports from Central Govt Police Agencies submitted figure far below 5%. Why is this jugglery going on?
PM might have shocked seeing (30% catapult?) convictions but if he comes to know actual convictions, another cardiac arrest is waiting at doors. Hold on ! This is not going to happen though, the ‘caste pain’ does not touch thick skinned Gandhi/political clan!
Readers please go thru the NEws in Indian Express….
PM shocked over low conviction rate of cases under SC/ST Act
Expressing shock over less than 30 per cent conviction rate for cases of atrocities against SCs and STs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday asked state governments to give more attention to the issue and said court cases related to such matters should be “pursued on priority”.
“Reports of atrocities against SCs, STs and senior citizens continue to appear with disturbing regularity. I have in fact written to the Chief Ministers of all states recently to enforce the provisions of the SCs and STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
It is shocking that conviction rate for cases of atrocities against SCs and STs is less than 30 per cent against the average of 42 per cent for all cognizable offences under IPC. The state governments need to give more attention to this issue,” he said inaugurating a conference of state ministers of welfare and social justice here. Singh told them to conduct meetings of state and district level vigilance committees on a regular basis and said that court cases should be pursued on priority. Focussing on the need to change the general mindset towards disadvantaged groups, the Prime Minister said such people should be made equal partners in the developmental processes.
“We propose to amend the Persons with Disabilities Act in consultation with states so as to bring it in line with the UN Convention (on Rights of Persons with Disabilities),” he said.
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A 16-year-old dalit girl of Kapaleswar village in Kendrapada district succumbed to her burn injuries on Tuesday evening. She was set on fire because she protested against her offender.
Jhili Mallick was kidnapped last year and was being held against her will at Kantia Mallick’s house. On Monday, when she protested, the youth poured kerosene over her and reportedly set her on fire in the presence of his parents.
The victim’s brother, Bhagawan Mallick, alleged that he had filed an FIR against Kantia last year and informed police that Kantia had kidnapped his sister and forcefully kept her in his house. But the police did not take any step to arrest the culprit or rescue his sister. “Police only registered a missing diary in her name,” he said, adding that he had repeatedly urged the police to take action against Kantia. “But they paid no heed to my pleas. Now my sister is dead,” he said. tnn
Tension mounted at Kapaleswar after the victim’s body arrived at the village. At least 200 villagers blocked the road on Wednesday, demanding action against the police officials who earlier shielded the accused and refused to resuce the girl.
Source: TOI
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It was active day of People’s March in Gevrai . A protest lead against insane administration that is covering perpetrators and failed to arrest ‘castiest bulls’ in Ranjani rape case .
The March was lead by a delegation that demanded:
1. Rehabilitation of the family of (dead) Laxman Aher family
2. Government should take responsibility education of his children
3. All accused should be arrested in the Ranjani village rape case
4. Instead of acting against injustice, police beat and abused rape victim. These police officer should be summarily punished under section 4 of POA
CHR , RPI, DPI and other Dalit organizations participated in the March. They are committal to fight for justice.
Pic 01: March on Georai police station Leadership of Adv. Eknath Awad (National president CHR ), Manisha Tokle (Women’s wing president CHR) , Papu Kadade (RPI), Ajinkya Chadane ( DPI) and M.T. Sarpate ( Freedom Fighter )
Pic 02: CHR president Adv. Eknath Awad addressing masses and demanding justice !
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Gang rape of a Dalit minor by a Hindu Priest and his accomplices is worst incidence in line with the atrocities piling up in Beed District. Kidnapping Victim from her home in Rajni village near National highway and gang rape in adjacent farms to Ahemadanagar Road – 8-10 km from Beed is a ghory summary. Again “Instead of justice police outraged her modesty”
Name of Victims : Smita Pawar
Caste : Hindu untouchable caste- Mang
Type of crime : Kidnapping and Gang Rape
Date : 23/08/2009 to 24/08/2009
Name of accused :
1. Uttam Mane ( Upper Caste- Aarradhi Priest)
2. Babalu Turukmare
3. Three unknown persons masked their faces
F.I.R. : 376,328,109,366 ( IPC ) Police Station : Tal – Gevrai Dist- Beed
Background of the case:
Smita Pawar (name changed) is 15 year old girl, occupation- landless labour. She belongs to Mang caste (Schedule Caste). Her native place is Rajnai village, Tal – Georai and Dist – Beed. Three months back she got married and she was living with her husband.
Victim Smita and her husband came to her parent’s home for the religious ceremony (Paradi programme) at 12 pm on Friday Dated 21 Aug 2009. On Friday night Uttam Mane came for this religious ceremony as a priest (Arradhi). He resides in Beed town and another two priests and one boy also accompanied him, namely Kondiram, Babasaheb and a boy Babalu Turukmare.
After finishing religious ceremony (Paradi programme) Uttam Mane lived in victim’s home for two days.
On Sunday 23rd Aug 2009, Uttam Mane told victim to visit Aaai (i.e. Goddess) temple in the field to perform remaining rituals. Victim believed and went with him. But when they came near Gadhi Phata of National Highway of Beed, an auto rickshaw came near them and Babalu got down from it. Uttam Mane asked Babalu to take her with him. When she denied Uttam forced victim to sit in the rickshaw besides Bablu. She feared and doubted their intention and refused to sit in Rickshaw but Babalu took her scarf and put on her mouth and forcefully made her to sit in the rickshaw.
Then Babalu took her to Beed Bus stand. Babalu called up his friends and immediately three friends came and sat in Auto Riksha. Auto Riksha took turn near Shivji Statute of the Beed and directly proceeded on Nagar Road. They went approximately 8 – 10 Km away from the Beed. Auto Riksha halted near secluded place in the farm near a Neem tree close to a well. There was a hut in the field. The time was around 4.30 pm. Babalu and masked friends (probably Uttam) forced victim to eat white tablets. They told her this tablets is for avoiding pregnancy then Babalu and his friends removed her Sari, and inner garments and they also snatched away gold and silver ornaments. Initially Babalu brutally raped her and afterward three others raped took the turn. She fainted and went unconscious.
On 24th Aug 2009 around 7.30 am to 8.00 am when she regained her consciousness she found herself in Auto Riksha again. Babalu and his friends were also seating next to her. She also found that she was wearing purple colour panjabi dress instead of her sari and also carrying white – chocolate colour purse containing bangles, scent bottle and vico cream.
They went to Gevrai in Auto Rikshs and left her on the Gevrai old bus stand. She was under fear and tremendous stress. When she walked down towards border of Gevrai, her brother Mr. Hanuman and village people met her there. Her brother brought her to Shanta Bai’s house. Her brother gave her water and meal. They went to Georai government hospital. Then victim’s brother, mother, father and victim herself went to Georai police station. They registered compliant. Again they went to Georai government hospital but doctor advised to admit in Beed civil hospital. They came in civil hospital and Victim admitted in the civil hospital in Beed.
When police called victim and her father for writing statement, they went to Georai police station . Instead of registering the complaint PI (Police Inspector) beat and abused the victim.
Without the intervention from SPMM and CHR, the atrocious system would easily been covered up similar to earlier Atrocities. They helped the victim in many ways.
* Psychological support and counseling,
* Legal support, counseling and legal aid,
* Helped for the medical treatment of the victims.
* Put pressure on police and also government by Dharane Andolan and Rasta Roko.
* Pressure on the political leader and police administration
* Advocacy of the present case at local, district and state level through electronic and print media
* Networking and Collaboration of all Dalit organizations and political parties (which supports Dalit cause) for this issue.
* Documentation and reporting
* Documentation and publication
Present situation:
* Police did not put clauses of POA in FIR
* Still main accused are not arrested by the police
* Instead of giving justice police has beaten and abused the victim on 28th Aug. 2009
Local Media:
Pic 01 : News in Sakal on Gang rape of a Sheduled caste woman by an Uppercaste Priest
Pic 02 : News in Surajya- Gang rape of a Sheduled Caste by an Uppercaste Priest
Filed under: Caste dynamics, dalit atrocity | 4 Comments
By day, they work together, consulting with each other to help their patients.
But at lunch, the 150 doctors at this medical college in Muzaffarpur head to seven separate rooms.
The menu in each cafeteria is the same. Daal, rice, sabzi. But “the kitchens are separate for Harijans, Thakurs and Brahmins,” says Shatrughan Rai, who works as a cook in the Yadav kitchen, one he describes as a kitchen for a backward class.
The doctors say this is a tradition. “Our seniors followed it. Now we do,” declares Dr. Aditya, who refuses to reveal his caste.
The kitchen and dining rooms were separated at the height of the caste movement in Bihar in the 60s and 70s.
The call for change is not deafening, even though the majority of the doctors today are from lower castes. They say they have to proceed with caution. ”It has been happening for a long, long time. It’s not our choice, but a tradition. The government should intervene and stop it,” says Dr. Raman, President, and Junior Doctors’ Association.
The principal of the college insists that doctors eat together. A few hours later, we witness them filing into their separate cafeterias.
The government has not received a formal complaint, and says it therefore has never investigated the issue.
Source: NDTV and BC
Filed under: Caste dynamics | 1 Comment
The gruel caste minds manage to escape out from the police scan due to many reasons. Atrocitynews correspondent confirms that the accused in the caste Atrocity where Laxman Aher was brutally murdered for beating the drum during festive time are not arrested . The gang of 3 are out of Police vigil till date. It was also observed that none of the government officer visited to victim’s family. There is no issue of Compensation . Though moral support is provided by local activist for Democracy however victim’s family (Aher’s) are under fear.
If all accused are’nt arrested, Morcha to be held on 30 Aug 2009.
In the following picture we can see victim Laxman Aher’s family – Blind mother, wife (Mrs. Sanjeevani Aher) , daughter Laxmi in yellow holding a kid who eyewitnessed father’s murder. Also seen are five children fatherless now.
Pic 01: Indian Family in fear
pic 02 : Victim’s mother narrating her pain and urging for justice to CHR activist Manisha Tokle
- Pic 02 : Eye witness Miss Laxmi Aher – the daughter of Mr. Laxman Aher narrating incidence to CHR activist Manisha Tokle
Filed under: Caste dynamics, democratic deficit | 2 Comments
Malas Pimpalgaon: Local media
Pic 01: Unclean society & role of media: The news of Laxman Aher Atrocity comes running here
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Pic 01: Scanned copy of F.I.R of Malas Pimpalgaon where One Dalit is killed for drum beating
Pic 02: FIR Malas Pimpalgaon where Laxman Aher was murdered-Part 2
Pic 03: The representation from Campaign For Human Rights (CHR) group
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Jaswant Singh who as part of core think tank of BJP and also involved with the Rastriya Sawyamsevak Sangha on Wednesday equated the RSS design of NEW INDIA at par with white American group Ku Klux Klan (KKK) . He had been unceremoniously expelled from the party a week ago.
“Please don’t ask me. I am outside the magic circle of advisers or thinkers. Because, I am not from the RSS, is that why? So are we a political party? Is the BJP becoming some kind of an Indian version of Ku Klux Klan?” he shot back during an interview to PTI here. KKK, widely known as The Klan, is the name of several past and present hate group organisations in the US, whose aim was to Kill blacks and protect hegemony of white Americans by intimidation & bloody attacks. The Caste design in India would call for killings of Dalits (lower caste SC & ST) and religious minorities. If the Design rules go straight as planned the India soon on the verge of becoming Terrifying India.
Asked what he meant by reference to KKK, he said, “You know what the Klan means. You don’t ask me about this.” Expressing reluctance to analyse why Advani was rejected by the people for the post of Prime Minister, Singh nevertheless said it was for the BJP veteran to reflect on this.
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In a Brahmin stronghold Tahsil of Gevrai in Beed District the atrocities on Dalits are piling up as always. This time the festivals of Bulls (POLA) brings death penalty to some. No doubt deaths are not from upper-castes but from helpless poor Dalits at the hands of former. Soon after the killings, Police stations are terrorized with Political pressure.
In a Village named Malas-Pimpalgaon, a Dalit was summarily butchered by Upper-caste men when he refused to obey the dictates . The Hindu rule is that Matangs (Dalit caste) should not dare beat drums during festivals. Minding his rights, Laxman Aher , a brave soldier wedged a war against the caste dictates and beat the drums by which he only invited the Caste ire . Later he was targetted and mercilessly beaten to death by the upper castes crowd.
Pic 01: Laxman Rakhmaji Aher, dared to beat drum lying dead
Pic 02: Caste Rules take life in India everyday
Such a Brahman populated area adorns more shame when a Matang minor was raped by group of upper caste men in Rajni village close to Malas-Pimpalgaon in the same Tahsil. Even the case was not registered by the victims due to the fear from upper caste forces. Neither Police came forward to take the stock of the situation fearing backlash.
Pic 03: Activism in first place; CHR president Ad. Eknath Awad and Manisha Tokle encouraging victim relatives for registering case in the police station
Also Police is silent which is the least they can offer to convince their political dog heads.
However the civil society in the region does not sleep into silence, having noticed the incidents CHR (Campaign for Human Rights) has decided to protest thru People March on 30th August on Police station.
The March will be joined by Manisha Tokale, Subhash Nade, KAilas Veer, Motiram Bade, Santosh JAdhav, Baburao Ghule, Kalyan Naktode, Alka Naktde, Asha Pawar, Archana Waghmare, Meena Lokhande and others
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Caste downgrades health directly
The caste system, with its societal stratification and social restrictions, continues to have a major impact on the country. The system, generally identified with Hinduism, is also prevalent among Christians, Sikhs and Muslims.
While some barriers are broken in urban settings, many continue to persist in rural India. While the secular, socialistic and democratic principles enshrined in the constitution demand equality of outcomes, the inherent caste-related inequality continues to dominate reality in Indian society. Much of the debate has focused on reservation in educational institutions and employment, and rarely highlights the inequalities in health.
Social constructs: Many studies have documented that the caste system is a social construct in the absence of any real genetic differences among castes. Caste, in many ways, is similar to race, which is also a social concept without genetic basis. Nevertheless, these social constructs seem to have a stranglehold on human thought, perpetuating prejudice and propagating unjust societal structures.
Health indicators: Data from the National Family Health Survey-III (2005-06) clearly highlight the caste differentials in relation to health status. The survey documents low levels of contraceptive use among the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes compared to forward castes. Reduced access to maternal and child health care is evident with reduced levels of antenatal care, institutional deliveries and complete vaccination coverage among the lower castes. Stunting, wasting, underweight and anaemia in children and anaemia in adults are higher among the lower castes. Similarly, neonatal, postnatal, infant, child and under-five statistics clearly show a higher mortality among the SCs and the STs. Problems in accessing health care were higher among the lower castes. The National Family Health Survey-II (1998-99) documented a similar picture of lower accessibility and poorer health statistics among the lower castes.
The poor, a majority from the lower castes, migrate to different parts of the country in search of work. Their migrant status means they lose many benefits generally offered to the poorer sections as their below poverty line and ration cards are not valid across State borders. The migrants find it difficult to register with the National Tuberculosis Programme at their place of work, resulting in out-of-pocket expenditure for treatment, discontinuation of medication when symptoms improve, relapse of the disease, medication resistance and premature death. Illness and its treatment usually wipe out all savings and are a common reason for indebtedness. Migrants are often considered vectors of communicable diseases and are not engaged by the public health system as they drive down indicators of health. The complete absence of schooling for their children implies a continuation of the cycle of poverty. Their inability to register with local electoral bodies means they fall off the radar of politicians and political parties.
Victims of communal violence: Dalits continue to face social discrimination and exclusion and are targets of communal violence. Assault, rape and murder of Dalits by the ‘upper’ castes are common and yet, frequently these crimes are not investigated and punished by the authorities, despite laws and protection provided by the Indian state. The Khairlanji massacre and the delay in its investigation come to mind. While many legal statutes exist, their implementation leaves much to be desired.
Health and human rights: There is an inextricable link between health and human rights. The violations of human rights (for example, violence) can have serious health consequences. The vulnerability to ill-health is reduced by taking steps to protect such rights (for example, freedom from discrimination and rights to health, education and housing). The World Health Organisation has strongly argued for a human rights-based approach to health to overcome the persistence of discrimination and human rights abuses.
Social determinants of health: It is widely recognised that the determinants of health are social and economic rather than purely medical. The poor health of people from the lower castes, their social exclusion and the steep social gradient are due to the unequal distribution of power, income, goods and services. Caste is inextricably linked to and is a proxy for socio-economic status in India. The restricted access of those from the lower castes to clean water, sanitation, nutrition, housing, education, health care and employment is due to a toxic combination of poor social policies and programmes, unfair economic arrangement and bad politics.
The structural determinants of daily life contribute to the social determinants of health and fuel the inequities in health between caste groups. Viewing health in general as an individual or medical issue, reducing population health to a biomedical perspective and suggesting individual medical interventions reflect a poor understanding of issues. Social interventions should form the core of all health and prevention programmes as individual medical interventions have little impact on population indices, which require population interventions.
Barriers to scaling up intervention: The major barrier to mainstreaming health care and to scaling up effective interventions is caste inequality based on socio-cultural issues. The systematic discrimination of lower castes based on culture, tradition and religion needs to be tackled if interventions have to work. Although the short time-lag between the (absence of) medical intervention and the health outcomes stands out as causal, it is the longer latent period and the hazier but ubiquitous and dominant relationship between caste and culture which have major impacts on outcome. Failure to recognise this relationship and the refusal to tackle these issues result in poorer health standards of the SCs and the STs. Tradition and culture maintain their stranglehold on inequality. Poverty and social exclusion have a multiplicative effect on the social determinants of health with those at higher risk for diseases also having a higher probability of being excluded from health care services.
The way forward: The World Health Organisation and its Commission on Social Determinants of Health recommend three principles for action: improving the conditions of daily life; tackling the iniquitous distribution of power, money and resources; and raising public awareness of issues, measuring the problems and evaluating actions. Providing supplemental nutrition and psychosocial stimulation improves physical and mental growth in underprivileged and stunted children. The provision of primary and secondary education and accessible health care regardless of the ability to pay is cardinal to success. Managing urban development with the provision of affordable housing, clean water and sanitation in addition to addressing rural land tenure and livelihoods is mandatory. The provision of fair and continuous employment and a universal public distribution system are necessary. The establishment and strengthening of universal social protection schemes are called for.
Continuing the current affirmative action in education and employment is crucial. Strengthening the mid-day meal scheme, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Right to Education Act, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Food Security Act and the National Rural Health Mission, all steps in the right direction, is essential. There is need to increase resource allocation for the social determinants of health and to reinforce the government’s primary responsibility in providing for basic needs. Gender equity and social and political inclusion of the poor and lower castes in policy and decision making are required. Critics argue that an exclusive focus on production and trade without a viable distributive policy on food and land will not make poverty history.
The limits of liberalism: The spirit of socialism enshrined in the Constitution per se has not and will not result in equality of social and health outcomes for all people. There is need to change social structures. The many small moments of justice cannot overcome the large contradictions in Indian society. Liberals, by definition, can identify the issues but do not actively seek fundamental shifts in political power or enthusiastically champion changes in social mores. They are also part of the tyrannical social order.
Caste plays out in India just as race plays out in the U.S. and the social class in Britain. Birth seems to determine health, education, employment, social and economic outcomes. Systemic injustice requires much more than a change of heart; it requires changes in social structures. Social injustice is killing people and mandates the ethical imperative of improving the social determinants of health.
- By Dr. K.S. Jacob
From ‘The Hindu’; writer is a Professor and a faculty at Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu.
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A case pertaining to scheduled caste atrocity came to light at Palabhavi village in Raibag taluk, following the intense opposition by the upper caste people. The SCs dug the grave one day after the burial and took the body of a person belonging to their community to bury the body elsewhere.
According to sources, people of the upper caste became angry as the SCs of the village buried one of their dead in the former’s graveyard, which had been traditionally used by them. They threatened expulsion, if body was not exhumed.
Due to fear, some SCs got ready to dig the grave, thought one group opposed and complained to the police. But police stood as mute spectators when they failed to compromise both groups on issue. When asked CPI G B Goudar told TOI that no written complaint had been filed in the station regarding the matter.
The kin of Hanamavva, who died last month said his family often requested not to dig a grave, but in vain. “Some people of our community compromised with the proposal laid by the people of the upper caste. They had assured sanctioning separate graveyard within a month for us, but later didn’t go by their words,” he said.
Senior member of SC community in the village said, the graveyard used by the people of the upper caste was panchayat land and was acquired and there is no graveyard for SC people in the village. “We would bury dead bodies of our community members at the bank of the canal. But on June 30, when we went to that place, that too had been acquired by some other farmers. Without option, we buried Hanamavva’s body at the panchayat land used by the upper caste people,” he explained.
The issue came to light on Wednesday, with the SC community protested against no sanction of a separate graveyard for them, even after one month on the terms of negotiation. In between this one-and-half-month, more than three people died and they community faced an immense problem for their burials.
When asked tahsildar R D Uppin, he said he had taken steps to settle the matter, by bifurcating same graveyard for both communities, because there was no other land with the panchayat to sanction.
Source: TOI
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Please download the Entire report of the Phule Pimpalgaon Atrocity making a case for an ugly output of caste based mindsets, fight for protection of civil liberties and the effect on state from rights movement.
Post Phule-Pimpalgaon, Maharastra state has decided to punish the villages under POA Act 1989 which are infected with caste virus.
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Around 14 persons were injured in a caste clash between Dalits and upper caste Hindus in Doora village in Mysore taluk. One person, Laxmana, has been admitted to Apollo Hospital with multiple grievous injuries, while the others are being treated at K R Hospital. Police have arrested one person.
The trouble started with a quarrel between when two youths travelling in a bus from Mysore city. The heated exchange led to upper caste Hindus getting enraged over remarks by Dalit youths and attacking them with wooden rods. They upper caste Hindus charged that a few of the youths had misbehaved with girls of their community.
Police officials led by SP Ramasubba rushed to the village and brought the situation under control. Police have stepped up security in the village to prevent any further violence.
Ramasubba said that the absconding accused will be arrested in a day.
Source: Indian Express
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Caste and Indian Market
Freedom just another word,
For nothing left to lose,
Nothing ain’t worth nothing,
If its free
- Kris Krisolfeson
‘Seinfeld’ is one of my favorite TV serials and it was no surprise that it was one of the most popular American serials of all times. What did surprise me though was the fact that ‘SEINFELD’ fails to make it to a list of top 50 TV serials amongst African Americans. On hindsight it is not so surprising for in the end, for all its irreverence ‘Seinfeld’ was largely a ‘ whilte’ serial. There were few black characters and even the most prominent of them. ‘Jackie Chilled’,was a caricature of sorts. Indians would be quick to point this out as yet another example of racism in the land of milk and honey. I can’t comment on that and I make the above point merely to reflect about our own TV programming and a little bit of what I think is marketing myopia.
When one looks at the numerous ‘SaasBahu’ soap operas on air there is one pattern thas visible . Invariably the casting is along caste lines. Not that the actual actors playing the roles are selected basis their caste but that the principal protagonists belong largely to the uppwercastes. A cursory listing of the surnames of the most soap opera families will reveal that while the SHarmas and the Guptas are a plenty there are few Yadavs if any. In India surnames for long have been a dead giveaway of caste and while it is possible that this is one of those remarkable coincidences just as fans of Seinfeld would say that too much is made about the lack of black characters. I think that it is fairly reflective of the fact that when most of us think India we think of it largely (whether knowingly or unknowingly ) as an upper caste world.
For TV serials are not alone in exhibiting this behaviour, even the advertising and marketing community seems to have a similar biases. When one speaks to the planning or the marketing community, society in India seems to be largely delve into Hindu mythology and upper caste rituals. I have never found any allusion to the rituals, myths or semantics of the lower castes. And all this despite most marketers being on record that it is rural markets which are their focus today.
Unlike in America, where historically the black population was a small minority, in India, however, the lower castes comprises the bulk of the population. Unlike in the US where targeting the white community made greater commercial sense for most marketers. In India, one would imagine that the future (when the caste and class equation becomes more balanced) will belong to the lower castes. Currently though there exists a very high degree of co-relation between caste hierarchy and class hierarchy- that is a large part of the upper class is likely to emanate from the higher castes.
SO I wonder why?
Perhaps a possible explanation is that there is a general belief that over time there will be a certain degree of ‘ Sanskitisation’ (refer M N Srinivas, a sociologist whose works deserve to be read) and the lower castes will tend to shy away from their roots and tend towards upper caste rituals and practices. But far more likely is the fact that somewhere we are spending more time selling to ‘people like us’ and missing out on the larger audience of ‘people like them’.
Independence day
And so we will celebrate yet another Independence Day and here is how it will be branded. There will be, if my memory serves me right, an address to the nation from the Red Fort by the PM., some references to Nehru’s Tryst with Destiniy’, some VIP or the other hoisting a flag and a gaggle of school children meeting up with the President. Then there will be patriotic songs playing on radio stations, a tricolor tucked always in the corner of the top right hand screen of the music channels and celebrities giving their take on what Independence day means to them in the papers. There will be companies (largely the public sector) issuing ads congratulating the nation , some restaurants offering ‘Independence Day’ offers and some malls screaming about a ‘Freedom’ sale. there will be TV discussions on the state of Independent India and movie channels will run some or the other so called patriotic movie. And lastly there will be large cars with the tri-color fluttering on the windshield bought from those canny street signal sales people
-By Harihar Narayanswamy from EconomicTimes
Filed under: Caste dynamics | 1 Comment
Following is a letter posted by Atrocitynews reader-Mr. Uttamrao Sukhadeve who is harassed due to inertness of the National Commission for Scheduled Caste. This isn’t the first case. The commission warrants restructuring as it grapples in the hands of petty (castist/corrupt) politicians.
Dear Atrocitynews,
The Government of India established “The National Commission for Scheduled Caste”by Act of Parliament. The commission is ditto Civil court powerwise. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman enjoys privileges of Cabinet Ministers and State Ministers. I lodged an Atrocity complaint in Jan 2008 with the Commission. The Vice-Chairman of the Commission called on Chairman , NSIC New Delhi with all records pertaining to my case as on 30.9.2008 , subsequently commission ruled in my favour as “the petitioner was discriminated” and NSIC should re-submit the case to NSIC board for supportive consideration.
The Chairman of NSIC re-submitted the case to board after 7 months i.e.on 26th May 2009. The NSIC BOARD dismissed the ruling of the National Commission for Scheduled Caste” without any justification.
Now the question has arisen
(1) Whether the NSIC is empowered to dismiss the ruling of National the commission which was given after studying the case and related documents . The commission was setup for the welfare of the scheduled caste by the Govt.of India, and NSIC also a Govt of India enterprise under ministry of MSME. I lodged the complaint against the Chairman of NSIC in January 2008 and after continuous follow-up with the National Commission for Scheduled Caste, it was found that NSIC has done real injustice with me, but what is use of commission findings now, when their decision not binding.
(2) I could not understand what is the use of the Commission, how they will protect the interest of the Scheduled Caste, I advice Scheduled Caste not to contact the commission, as lastly you will not get any justice from the Commission, as the Govt. Department dismissed the commission decision, the commission is like a spinal less body. Govt.of India should close down the Commission as the Commission has no mouth. Lets write to the Prime Minister of India and the President of India to shut the Commission.
3)It is better not to waste the time with the titular Commission, the Commission will never solve the problems faced by Scheduled Caste. Lets approch court of Law.
I share my frustration with you readers , if you have any experience of grave intensity please do let me know.
Filed under: dalit atrocity, democratic activism | Leave a Comment
PARALAKHEMUNDI (Orissa): As many as 66 girls from N Jhalarsingh Kanyashram, a government-run school for SC/ST girls in Gajapati district, ran away from the hostel after three teachers allegedly made casteist taunts to them.
“You all belong to lower castes,” the triad would “always keep telling” them.
“They have inflicted unbearable torture and trauma on us. Even over a trifle thing, they make fun and remind us of our so-called low-caste background. It’s very very cruel. For long, we put up with the trauma, hoping things will improve someday. But nothing of that sort happened,” one of the girls said on condition of anonymity,
“Worse, they imposed a dress code on us and ordered a particular diet. For the past three weeks, Class X students haven’t got eggs in meals. It’s too much.,” she added.
The students walked a distance of about 25 km through Hatigada, Lathar, Libiriguda, Saralapadar, Rubudisingh, Alisingh, Paleri, Paika Antarada and reached Nuagarh to voice their problems before the block development officer (BDO), but in vain. The day being a second Saturday, the BDO’s office was closed. The girls then met zilla parishad member Labin Raita and samiti member Dalima Dalbehera.
“They were hungry so we arranged food for them before letting them go to their respective homes,” said Labin.
SC/ST welfare director R K Choudhury said, “We are aware of the development and will take necessary steps to get the girls back to school. We also take strong action against those found guilty.”
Gajapati Prakash Chandra Das Collector has deputed district welfare officer D Biswanath and BDO Nuagada Prasanna Sarangi to submit a report by Monday.
Earlier, a group of students of Ekalabya Abasika Bidyalaya at Chandragiri and Laxmipur Abasika Bidyalaya near Koinpur in Gajapati district walked out to protest against alleged mismanagement and misbehaviour of teaching staff.
Altogether there are 250 girls studying in the institution. Of them 238 live in the hostel. As many as 19 out of 21 in Class X and 47 out of 56 in Class IX have left for home.
Source:TOI
Filed under: dalit atrocity | Leave a Comment
A welcome decision- Ministry of Home affairs Maharastra state, has decided now to take stringent yet punitive actions against perpetrators of Caste violence in the wake of rising Caste-Atrocity cases in the State. The top officials along with Minister for state agreed to come forward to implement POA act 1989 to fullest. Village in which Dalit families find caste-trouble are liable to capital punishment under the Act.
Also there are supportive provisions (which are deadwoods)like State is made responsible for rehabilitation of Dalit families. Moreover, State could stop resource supply to such village-assemblies.
The concrete provisions of community punishment do exist in POA Act 1989 which is under Centre’s purview. The State can not repeal and amend them only can implement them.The act is a product of constitutional guarantee Article 16, fundamental right defying practice of untouchability.
None of the times, till date, village punished as a whole even when many Dalit families suffered and died due to upper-caste-terror. The terror has reached in 60 years of life after Constitution. No idea what fate Home Ministry’s resolution will have ! Lets watch !
SAKAL MARATHI NEWSPAPER NEWS:
मुंबई – एकाच गावात वारंवार दलित व आदिवासी अन्याय-अत्याचाराच्या घटना घडत असतील, तर अशा गावाला अत्याचारग्रस्त गाव म्हणून घोषित करण्याचा आणि त्या गावाला शासनाकडून मिळणारा सर्व प्रकारचा विकासनिधी बंद करण्याचा महत्त्वपूर्ण निर्णय आज गृहराज्यमंत्री डॉ. नितीन राऊत यांच्या अध्यक्षतेखाली झालेल्या गृह विभागाच्या बैठकीत घेण्यात आला. त्याचबरोबर गुन्हेगाराची मालमत्ता जप्त करण्याचा तसेच त्याला तडीपार करण्याच्या कायदेशीर तरतुदीची कडक अंमलबजावणी करण्याचे आदेशही डॉ. राऊत यांनी संबंधित अधिकाऱ्यांना दिले आहेत.
बीड जिल्ह्यात अलीकडेच दलित अत्याचाराच्या अनेक घटना घडल्यामुळे नितीन राऊत यांनी स्वतः घटनास्थळी भेट दिल्यानंतर राज्यभरातील ऍट्रॉसिटी कायद्याच्या अंमलबजावणीचा आढावा घेतला. कायद्यातील पळवाटा काढून गुन्हेगार राजरोसपणे मोकाट फिरतात, पोलिस ठाण्यांमध्ये गुन्हे नोंदवून घेण्यास टाळाटाळ केली जाते, अशी शेकडो प्रकरणे निदर्शनास आली. त्यानंतर डॉ. राऊत यांनी अनुसूचित जाती-जमाती अत्याचार प्रतिबंधक कायद्याची कडक अंमलबजावणी करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला होता. त्यानुसार आज मंत्रालयात त्यांनी गृह विभागाची बैठक घेतली. या बैठकीला गृह विभागाच्या प्रधान सचिव ऍना दाणी, अप्पर पोलिस महासंचालक राज खिलनानी, विशेष पोलिस महानिरीक्षक सी. प्रभाकर व इतर वरिष्ठ अधिकारी उपस्थित होते.
Continue reading ‘Maharastra Home Ministry decides to punish Caste-crimes’
Filed under: dalit atrocity | 2 Comments
Rajastan: Fed up with district administration’s apathy, 11 members of a Dalit family attempted to end their lives on the campus of the collector’s office on Monday. Jiva Sagathiya along with three children and seven women consumed kerosene but police intervention saved their lives.
The family is protesting against district collector’s order to return the land they were given for farming.
This land, they said, was the only means of livelihood for them.
According to the records, district administration had given four acres of land for agriculture purpose to Anand Harijan in Lodhika. In 1981, Anand fell ill and was not able to do any farming. The land was lying useless for a long time, prompting district administration to take it back.
Sagathiya, who inherited the land, and his family, had no other source of income as the land they inherited was taken back by the government. He along with his family made an appeal to the collectorate to re-grant the land in 1998. Since then he is fighting for the land, but there has been no decision.
Sources said that government had recently decided to grant the land back to the people on merit basis. Sagathiya once again went to collectorate with an appeal on July 9 but did not get any response. Sagathiya alleged that the Talati has asked for a bribe of Rs 10 lakh but as he was not able to pay the sum, he was being harassed unnecessarily.
Source: TOI
Filed under: dalit atrocity | Leave a Comment
Dalit woman was allegedly prevented from entering a temple and beaten up by some devotees following which the district administration has ordered a probe into the matter. The disctrict is part of UTTARANCHAL.
The incident took place on Monday when the Dalit woman went to visit Mahasu temple in Hanole of Vikasnagar. She allegedly crossed the line permitted for Dalits due to heavy rush after which she was beaten up.There her cloths torn off. She was made naked by the priest of the Temple with the support from the Local upper caste community.
District Magistrate D Senthil Pandiyen has ordered an inquiry into the matter which will be conducted by an official of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, they said.
A explanation has also been sought from the Nayab Tehsildar of Tyuni, they said.
Source: PTI
Filed under: dalit atrocity | 2 Comments
FACT FINDING REPORT
ON ILLEGAL DETENTION.TORTURE, DISPOSSESSION FROM LANDS, DESTRUCTON OF CROPS, FORCINGTO DRINK URINE, PULLING MOUSTACHES, INSULTING, INTIMIDATI0N, ABUSING IN THE NAME OF CASTE, FOISTING FALLSE CASES, VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY STATE , PUBLIC SERVANTS COMMITTING OFFENCES UNDER SC/ST(POA)ACT,1989.
District: KURNOOL – Mandal: Rudravaram – Village: Ellavathula – Date of occurrence: 16.7.09
Dates of visit: 20-7-2009 & 21-7-2009 – Places visited: Yellavathula Village, Rudravaram, Allagadda, Nandyal etc,
Members of the Fact Finding Team:
1) Mr.Munirathnam, State Convenor, National Dalit Forum, Chittoor
2) Mr, Sreeramulu, Disct.Convenor, National Dalit Forum, Chittoor
3) Mr.VA.Vinod Kumar, MA (Litt), BL, AIII, Advocate, AP High Court, Kurnool
4) Mr.Venkata Subbaiah, Chaitanya YuvAndhra Jyothiana Sangham, Chagalamarri (M), Kurnool Dist
5) Mr. Obulesu, Mani Rural Development Society, Rudravaram(V & M)
INCIDENCE IN BRIEF:
On 10.7.2009 Friday. Nearly at about 11 am., the Forest Range Officer Manthru Naik, Forest Guard Jakir Hussain, and 3 others came to Yellavathula when the daliths are working in their lands and abused and threatened the dalits that the lands belongs to Forest Department and they should leave the lands immediately otherwise they will face dare consequences. The dalits replied that the Government gave Pattas to their parents in the year 1974 and as such they are the owners and will not leave the lands. The Forest officials angrily scolded the dalits in the name of caste and forcibly lifted them into the Jeep and took them to DFO Office, Nandyal. There they put them in a dark room and locked up. In the evening at 4 pm., they came to the room and asked them to sign on white papers. When they refused to sign on empty papers they become angry and subjected them to force and torture. They left them in the dark locking it. At about 11 pm in the night the Forest officials came again and took away each separately and beat severely. Again they keep three of them in the room and put before us the white papers and forced us to sign. When they refused again they started beating them and pour urine in the glasses and pulled the moustaches and poured urine in their mouths and beat them severely. Unable to bear the torture they signed on the papers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INCIDENT:
In the year 1974 the Government gave pattas of assigned lands to 11 families of Dalits of Yellavathula village, Rudravaram (M) Kurnool Dist, were working in their lands and removing kalupu in their lands, given with 22 acres of land in the 1974. These lands were cultivated by these families from the period of their fathers. In the year 2007 Govt also provided Rs.2,44,000/- to these 11 families to develop the lands under Comprehensive Land Development Scheme (Indira Prabha). During March month 2009 the Forest officials lead by Mr. Manthru Naik, along with guards planted Jathropa plants in these lands. Then the dalits met the Tahasildar of Rudravaram and gave a complaint. The Tahsildar deputed Shri Ramanaiah, the Official Surveyor who surveyed the lands and planted stones showing the boundaries. The Dalit farmers having confirmed their ownership from the Revenue Department cut the Jathropa Plants to cultivate the lands. Then Forest Officials filed cases against the Dalit farmers during March, 2009 under Sections 20(i) (vi)(vii) These farmers were regularly attending the court for every adjournment. The Dalits were threatened with dire consequences if they refuse to leave the lands and they will put Preventive Detention cases when the 3rd case is booked against them.
They brought this event to the notice of the MRO and requested to survey the lands. The MRO certified that the lands which they had occupied were government land – Against this background the forest officials were not able to tolerate the poor Dalits cultivating the land and conspired to evict them from the land. As part of the conspiracy they went to the fields on 10-7-09l. Again they went to on 10-7-09 and filed cases against Dalits who were attending to weeding work in their fields. The Forest officials were intolerant and attacked and destroyed the red gram crops in 13 acres belonging to these Dalits in retaliation for not hearing to their instructions to vacate the land and removed the stones planted by the Official Surveyor showing the boundaries questioning the authority of Revenue Department to show the boundaries.
While going in the Jeep the RO Manthru Naik forcibly took the Cell Phone from Smt.Shanthamma, w/o.Sudarshan putting his hands into the jacket of her as she was keeping the cell phone in the jacket and refused to give it. She filed a case in Rudravaram PS under Section 354 IPC & Sec.3 (1)(xi), 3(2)(vii)of SC/ST)POA)Act,1989
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS:
1. In 1974 pattas for assigned lands of 22 acres were issued to 11 families of dalits
2. In the year 2007 Govt sanctioned amount to develop the lands under CLDP (Indira Prabhas) The farmers developed the lands with the assistance provided under the Govt.Programme.
3. Due to scanty rain fall the farmers couldn’t take up any crop and in the mean time the forest officials planted the Jathropa plants in the developed lads.
4. The dalits opposed the plantation and gave complaint to the MRO of Rudravaram (M)
5. The MRO sent the Official Surveyor Mr.Ramanaiah who surveyed the lands and planted the stones showing the boundaries very clearly and told the dalit farmers that they can cultivate the lands as they were holding the pattas. This process took nearly 2 years.
6. After the survey of lands by the Revenue authorities dalit farmers cut the Jathropa, ploughed the lands and planted Red Gram crop in the lands.
7.On 4.3.2009 The Forest Beat Officer Hussain sahib put cases against the farmers in Crime No. 16/2009 in Rudravaram PS Under Section 429, 447 IPC against 6 dalits 1.Mala Jangala Sudarshanam, 2.Mala Dasari Pedda Obulesu,3. Mala Chitte Maddileti,4.Mala Jogi Chennaiah, 5.Mala Barigela Chenchanna, 6.Mala Dasari Chinna Obulesu. They were sent to judicial remand got bail and attending before the First Class Judicial Magistrate,Alllagadda.
8. On 10-7-2009 The Forest Officials lead by the Range Officer, Manthru Naik,and Guards Jakir Hussain, and one more person came to the lands and abused the famers as they were removing kalup in their lands. They left the lands and went to Rudravaram and came back with 2 armed Police Constables and forcibly took the dalits to firstly to Rudravaram Police Station and then to DFO Office, Nandyal.
9. 11.On 10.11.2009 the Forest Staff tortured the dalits
10. On 16-10-2009 The news daily Andhra Jyothi, reported the matter on 16.10.2009 in the main news.
11. On 16-7-2009The dalits filed a case against the Forest Officials in Crime No.115/2009 Before Nandyal III Town PS. The police registered the case under Sections 323, 342,355 r/w.34 of Indian Penal Code & Section 3(1) (x), of SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989
12. Smt.Shanthammma, w/o.Jangam Sudarshanam filed a case before Rudravaram PS against the Range Officer Mr.Manthru Naik, under Section 354 IPC & Section 3(x) of SC/ST (POA) Act, 1989
THE RESPONSE OF THE OFFICIALS/AUTHORITIES:
The dalits approached the Police of Nandyal III town and gave a complaint. The Police registered the case under Cr.No.115/2009 – The dalit woman Smt.Shanthamma, approached the Police. Rudravram Police registered the case in Crime No.
The District Collector ordered an enquiry by the RDO, Madhavi Latha into the incident. He released Rs.20000/- to each dalit family towards compensation for the loss of red gram crop.
The Dist.Collector recommended for the suspension of the accused forest officers
OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS :
Responding to the incident the National Dalit Forum, Hyderabad formed a committee of members to record the facts of the incident with above cited Members. The members visited the Place of occurrence, Yellavathula village and met the victims, and recorded their statements in detail. They also visited Nandyal III town Police station and collected the FIR & other documents to confirm the legal status of the case. The members organised a press meet in the Govt. Guest House for which the media gave wide coverage.
On conducting discreet enquiries the fact finding team noted the following:
1. The Dalits of Yellavathula and issued with pattas in the year 1974 and are in possession of the lands since then and cultivating.
2. In the year 2007, the DRDA released Rs.2.40 lacs to the 11 dalit farmers to develop these lands under Indira Prabha Scheme (Comprehensive Land Development Programme). These lands were treated and developed by these farmers.
3.The attack on dalits is due to assertion of their land right as they were living on these lands since 1973
4. When dalits shown the pattas and pass books the Forest Officials not taken the initiative to check with Revenue department on the issuance of pass books/pattas.
5. The forest officials : The Forest Officials foisted cases on dalits on 4.3.2009 & 10.7.2009 in Rudravarm PS threatening the dalits they are preparing the ground to file cases under Preventive Detention Act so that they can send the dalits out of the village. The details of the cases are as follows:
6. On 4-3-2009 – The Forest Beat Officer Mr.Hussain Saheb, filed cases against 6 dalits of Yellvathula under Section 429,447 of Indian Penal Code in Rudravaram PS
7. On 10-7-2009 the Forest Officials lead by Manthi Naik, Jakir Hussain and another person took 2 armed Constables from Rudravaram PS and took the dalits into custody,tortured them and again foisted cases under Section 20(1)(i)VI of Forest Act.
LEGAL STANDARDS BREACHED:
Dalits were denied of access to Land-breach of Section 3(1)(iv)(v) of SC/ST(POA)Act,1989
They are subjected to savage violence and unspeakable brutality – Section 3(1)(i) of SC/ST(POA)Act,1989
A public servant who commits and offence under Section 3 (2)(vii)of SC/ST(POA)Act shall be liable for imprisonment for no less than one year and may extend to the punishment provided for that offence(Sec.3(2)(vii) of SC/ST(POA)Act,1989-
State violence – No one shall be deprived of his/her right to life or personal liberty except accordingly to procedure established by law. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary detention or imprisonment –Art 21 of Indian constitution and fundamental right –
Right to protection from the State against violence – Custodial torture and brutality – right to life, liberty & security of person , right to freedom from arbitrary arrest torture and human treatment when deprived of liberty – Art 9 UDHR& Art 7 of ICCPR
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person (Art 3, UDHR Art 6(1) ICCPR & Art 5(b) CERD-
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment –Art 5 UDHR & Art 7 ICCPR –
Voluntarily causing hurt to and assault or another person is an offence Sec.323 of IPC
342,355. 34 of IPC
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his/her privacy of family, home or correspondence as per Art 17(1) ICCPR
Intentional destruction of another’s property causing wrongful loss or damage is an offence under Sec.426, 434(Mischief by destroying or moving etc., a land mark fixed by public authority (IPC)
The RDO report submitted to the Dist.Collector immediately after the incident clearly indicate that the lands belongs to revenue department and the pattass/pass books issued to the dalits are genuine and their possession of land since 1974 is legitimate. This report is prima-facie evidence that the Forest Officials encroached in to the lands of dalits and illegally destroyed the crops though it is brought to their notice the ownership by showing pass books. This act of the forest officials tantamount to violation of Sec.426, 434 of IPC and Section 3(1)(iv)(v) of the SC/ST(POA)Act,1989
CONCLUSION:
The victims revealed to the Fact Finding Team that the Forest Officials threatened that they will book them under PD Act and send them out of the village once they complete filing of 3 cases against them. This shows the conspiracy hatched by them to force the dalits to vacate the lands under the threat of criminal cases. If occupation of government land by dalits/poorer sections for which they were issued with pattas/pass books is illegal how could it be right for the forest officials to trespass and destroy the red gram crop in 13 acres after detaining and torturing the dalits illegally.
As per the revenue records and the RDO report, authorities took meticulous care while considering the claims of dalits for pattas in 1973 and avoided granting pattas erroneously. Hence, even it is presumed that the lands belongs to Forest Dept, the issuance of pattas is legitimate since there is no erroneous transaction as such and the lands are in the possession of dalits since 1973 without any transfer, sale or interruption. Thus the dalits who are non-tribal’s entitled for the grant of pattas in respect of these lands which are explicitly in their occupation for more than 8 years as their occupation is neither void nor illegal. They were in possession of the lands since then and acquired the adverse possession and legal ownership.
Consequently, the cases filed by the officials tantamount to false cases and the Dalits are entitled to register legal cases against the Forest Officials under Section 211 of Indian Penal Code and Sec.3(1)(viii),3(2)(vii) of SC/ST(POA) Act 1989.
Demands/Recommendations:
Declaring Rudravaram and adjoining Allagadda Mandals as atrocity prone Intense areas –
Special attention is to be given and steps to be initiated for the prevention of atrocities as per the provisions of SC/ST(POA)Act,1989 and Rules 1995(Rule,3,6,7,10,11 etc)
Development measures targeting the Dalit communities should be initiated with effective monitoring mechanism
Implement the guidelines given in the Punnaiah Commission Report and other orders existing as on date in letter and spirit in these Mandals
The section of laws applied in case Nos.115/2009 dt.16.10.2009 filed by the Dalits should be altered before the filing of charge sheet with proper section of law i.e, including Section 426(Punishment for Mischief), 434(Mischief by destroying, moving etc, a land mark fixed by public authority & Criminal Intimidation Sec.503 of IPC & Sec. 3(1)(iv)(v)3(2)(vii) so that it will not vitiate the trial resulting in injustice to the victims.
The relief, Compensation and rehabilitation should be released to the victims as per the provisions of the SC/ST (POA) Act at the earliest.
PRESS CLIPPINGS:
The media played a key role in exposing this case of torture, violence and harassment by the Forest Officials which is an act of State violence. The press and electronic media reported the matter on the following dates extensively:
On 16-7-2009 the ANDHRA JYOTHI Telugu News daily publicised the matter in its main page as state news.
On 17-7-2009 It also covered the news of Dist.Collector’s immediate response and ordering an enquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer who visited the scene of occurrence and recorded the events and submitted her report confirming the atrocities. It also covered the statement of the Tahasildar, Rudravaram(m) who declared that the lands belongs to the Revenue Department. It also covered the news of payment of compensation of Rs.20000/- to each Dalit family whose crops were destroyed by the forest officials. He also assured stringent action against the accused after thorough enquiry into the incident.
On 18-7-2009 the Sakshi Telugu news daily reported that a criminal case is registered against the accused Range Officer Sri Manthru Naik in Rudravaram Police Station under Cr.No. U/section.No.354 IPC. It also reported that SC/ST case is registered in III Town PS against the forrest officials Mr. Manthru Naik & Jakir Hussain basing on the complaint given by the victim Mr.J.Sudarshan The paper also reported that the Dist.Collector personally called the victims individually and separate groups and enquired into the incident personally. He also called the accused the Beat Officer ,Range Officers and others and enquired them. He expressed anguish at the violence committed by the Officials. He expressed to recommend for the suspension of the accused officials. The news daily Enadu covered that the lands in dispute belongs to Revenue department as per the report of the Tahasildar/MRO of the concerned Mandal i.e., Rudravaram. It also covered the news that atrocity is registered against the Forest Officials as per the statement of CI of Police of III Town PS,Nandyal. The ANDHRA JYOTHI published the statement of Kula Vivaksha Porata Samithi General Secretary Mr.M.D. Anand Babu requesting to stop attacks on dalits. The Sakshi published a vital news that the Joint survey conducted by both Revenue/Forest departments revealed that the lands belongs to Revenue department. The Tahsildar of the concerned Mandal openly said that the Forest Dept should show proofs if they have anything to claim the lands.
19-7-2009 ANDHRA JYOTHI covered the visit of General Secretary, State Human Rights Forum,Sri Balagopal in the main issue as state news.It also covered the news that atrocity is case registered against the forest officials basing on the order issued by the Dist.Collector.
20-7-2009 Vaartha News daily covered the news that the disputed lands belongs to revenue department basing on the statement of the Tahsildar.
21.-7-2007 Sakshi news daily covered the news that the Dist.Collector recommended for the suspension of the Forest Officials. It also covered that the dispute still continues in between the 2 departments. Eenadu covered that the, lands belongs to Forest Dept as per the survey of the Forest Officers Association. ANDHRA JYOTHI covered the news of the visit of Forest Officers Association members to the disputed lands. Vaartha news daily carried a statement of the Fact Finding Team conducted by the OPDR team demanding to lift the cases foisted against the dalits of Yellavathula village. It also covered the Statement of Forest Officers Association President that the lands belonging to Forest Dept.
The Press covered the press meet at the Guest House, Allagadda in which the Fact Finding Team comprising members from National Dalit Forum, National Dalit Rights Federation,Local NGOs,lead by Mr.VA.Vinod Kumar, Advocate, AP High Court.
Eenadu covered the news as “There is necessity of comprehensive survey on assigned lands in the district’ – Vartha covered the message that stringent action should be taken against the accused Forest Officials – Andhra Bhoomi covered that the attacks on dalits is inhuman –Vaartha reiterated tour demand that all the assigned lands in the district should be surveyed aas many atrocities are mainly connected to dalit land rights. ANDHRA JYOTHI covered the message that the accused unleashed violence on dalits thinking that they are officials.
Photographs:
Taken along with the victims during the interaction with the members of the Fact Finding Team.
Sources: 1.Press & Electronic Media Reports 2.FIRs, Charges sheets, 3.Pass Books etc.,4.Individual statements recorded from the victims, Officials etc.,
Signatures
Sri Munirathna, Convenor, VA.Vinod Kumar,Advocate
National Dalith Forum,Chittoor AP Hogh Court,Hyderabad
Sri Sreeramulu, Dist Convenor, Sri Venkata Subbaiah,President,
National Dalit Forum ,Chittoor Chaitanya YuvAndhra Jyothiana
Sangham,Chagalamarri.
Sri Obulesu, President,
Mani Rural Development
Society,Rudravaram
Filed under: dalit atrocity | Leave a Comment
This is just an aperture to peep into Indian legal system wherein criminals are defended under false grounds that builds the presumption that Indian judicial environment is just unjust. Widely known Rape case of Shiney Ahuja is just an example to put ahead grim-black face of Caste-India. Equally ill-known the creator of inhuman Caste society, Manu is worshiped and put in high respect by the judges of Rajastan High Court, nothing more can be expected from lawyers like Shivde?
International activism is badly needed to cleanse India from such mentalities, everything is infected here ! Readers please read following news and take efforts to write on the wall, otherwise perpetrators of cruel program will take centerstage!
Bollywood actor Shiney Ahuja’s lawyer on Tuesday gave a new angle to the case, claiming that the victim of the alleged rape belongs to a lower caste, which is “aggressive” in nature. During a hearing on the actor’s bail plea filed before a sessions court, lawyer Shrikant Shivde contented that Shiney hails from a “respectable” family and was wrongly implicated in the case.
Elaborating his version of “consensual sex”, Shivde argued that if Ahuja had tried to rape the victim, she could have “definitely” resisted. “She belongs to a lower caste, which is aggressive by nature, and she wouldn’t have submitted herself so easily. They are known for being aggressive,” Shivde said.
Shivde also contented that the victim had concocted the story of alleged rape and it is highly doubtful. “Rape cases can be easily concocted. It’s hard to prove them and even harder to defend. Prima facie, the case has become a little doubtful. Why didn’t the victim try to run from the crime site, if she had not relented to his sexual advances,” Shivde asked.However, Shivde agreed to have seen the medical report that says traces of semen were found in the vaginal smears collected by the doctors. “Some of the tests have proved that sexual intercourse had occurred. So we are not refuting that part. We are just contending on the allegation that the victim was raped,” said Shivde.
The prosecution, however, opposed the actor’s bail plea stating that the medical and forensic reports supported the charges against the actor. “Medical report is strong enough to nail the accused. Though the victim had no external injury, the medical report supports our case that sex was forceful,” said special Public Prosecutor R V Kini. Ahuja’s lawyer said that the actor was ready to stay away from Mumbai till chargesheet is filed. “If the court feels that my client would try to tamper with the evidence and influence the victim, he wouldn’t mind staying away from Mumbai and Raigad where the victim hails from,” Shivde told the court.
Shivde was replying to the prosecution’s argument that Ahuja would try to intimidate the victim and witnesses as he hails from an influential family.
Source: Expressnews
Filed under: Caste dynamics, International activism, dalit atrocity, democratic activism | 3 Comments
..the bleeding eyes
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