10 Dalit professors resign from Bangalore University on charges of casteism
10 Dalit professors working in the university have resigned from their administrative posts together. They have taken this step against the caste discrimination and neglect of rights in the institute. Bangalore. Bangalore University is once again in controversy. 10 Dalit professors working in the university have resigned from their administrative posts together. They have taken this step against the caste discrimination and neglect of rights in the institute. The teachers who resigned allege that despite serving for years, they were retained on temporary posts of ‘in-charge’, due to which they neither got the status of a permanent post, nor the benefit of leaves and other administrative facilities. These professors have written a letter to the Vice Chancellor and clarified that this is not just administrative dissatisfaction, but the result of caste-based discrimination. They have written that for a long time, teachers coming from the Dalit community in the university are being deliberately denied promotions and permanent posts. Also, basic facilities like Earned Leave (EL) have been taken away from them, which have been available to teachers from other communities. The professors say that when new chairs or posts are vacant in the institute, candidates from upper castes are given preference, while Dalit professors keep working in the name of ‘in-charge’. This not only exploits them, but also hurts their dignity. This incident has come to light when cases of caste discrimination are being raised repeatedly in universities and higher education institutions across the country. After cases like Dr. Ashok Kumar (DU) and Dr. Ravi Verma (Andhra Pradesh), this incident of Bangalore University underlines that institutional injustice with the Dalit community in the field of higher education is a serious reality. Now the question is whether the university administration will ignore this protest considering it only an “emotional reaction” or will it change the policy by implementing the demands of these professors? The professors who resigned have warned that if they are not given permanent posts and their rights within a week, they will completely distance themselves from administrative responsibilities. This crisis of Bangalore University is becoming a symbol of the plight of those Dalit teachers not only in Karnataka but across the country, who are still not getting equal status despite their qualifications. Siddharth Gautam Siddharth Gautam, who has an interest in journalism and writing, is a graduate from Delhi University. There he has been the winner of many university-level writing competitions. He has been associated with Dalit Dastak for the last two years and is working as a sub-editor. Courtesy : Hindi News
When the police once again put him under house arrest, the Dalit MP of SP became emotional, said- ‘Get us shot’
Agra News: SP MP Ramji Lal Suman under house arrest in Agra! Stopped from going to protest against the breaking of Ambedkar statue in Etah. Police deployed heavy force outside the residence, SP workers gathered. Agra News: Samajwadi Party’s Dalit MP from Rajya Sabha Ramji Lal Suman was once again put under house arrest in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This action was taken when he was about to leave for a dharna at the Collectorate in protest against the breaking of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s statue in Etah. The police, acting on the instructions of the DIG of Aligarh, stopped the MP from leaving his residence. Heavy police force and PAC were deployed on the spot. Barricades were put on the road so that no one could go in or out. A large number of SP workers gathered outside his residence in support of the MP. Angry with this entire action, MP Ramji Lal Suman gave a sharp reaction. He said, “Shoot us, send us to jail. We are not criminals, yet we are being treated like terrorists.” Suman alleged that the police and administration are protecting criminals, but public representatives are not being allowed to discharge their constitutional duties. He said that this is like murder of democracy. This house arrest of the MP is not the first time. Earlier also he was prevented from participating in public movements in Mathura and Aligarh. There is anger among the Dalit community and SP workers after the incident of breaking the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Etah. The SP MP was going to meet the victims in this case and join the protest. SP workers have termed this action as anti-Dalit mentality. They say that the government is suppressing the voice of dissent. Arvind Sharma Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit pradhan dies after being pushed down by a strongman
Etawah. In Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit pradhan died after being pushed by a strongman during an altercation while demanding a toilet in Dugawali village under Thana Basrehar area. The police reached the spot and took the body of the deceased pradhan into custody and arrested the accused Mukesh Kumar Yadav and sent him to jail. Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Srivastava said that on Tuesday, Mukesh Yadav went to the house of Gram Pradhan Shambhu Dayal Balmiki (85) in Dugawali village under Thana Basrehar area and demanded a toilet. The Gram Pradhan told Mukesh Yadav that the site has not been opened yet. You will get a toilet as soon as applications are taken. Angry with this, the accused Mukesh Yadav pushed the Gram Pradhan. Due to this, the pradhan fell down and died. The police reached the spot and took the body of the Gram Pradhan into custody and arrested the accused and sent him to jail on charges of unintentional murder. After the death of the village head, the Bharatiya Janata Party called the accused youth a Samajwadi Party worker and said that Dalits have always been insulted in the Samajwadi Party. Today, BJP’s State Women Commission Vice President Aparna Yadav and Sadar MLA Sarita Bhadoria visited the deceased’s house and assured all possible help. By Mahi Khan Courtesy : Hindi News
Punjab: Dalit youth brutalised on suspicion of helping lovers elope, paraded half naked, face shaved and blackened, video goes viral
A Dalit youth was brutally beaten up, paraded half naked with his face blackened on suspicion of helping a couple elope in Seeda village; police arrested one accused, search for others continues. New Delhi: A case of brutality against a Dalit youth has come to light in Seeda village on the border of Ludhiana. According to the police, the villagers not only beat the youth on suspicion of helping the lovers elope, but also forcibly shaved his head and beard-moustache, blackened his face and paraded him half naked in the village. According to a report in Telegraph India, the incident took place on Tuesday, but the matter gained momentum after its video went viral on social media. In the video of the incident, the accused can be clearly seen using casteist abuses and brutalising the victim. The police said that the victim has been identified as Harjot Singh. It is alleged that Harjot Singh had helped his friend and a young woman to elope and get married. Both of them got married on June 19, after which there was tension in the village. On Tuesday, Harjot was in a salon in the village when some people reached there and dragged him out. The accused beat him brutally, shaved off his beard and moustache, blackened his face, tore his clothes and paraded him around the village in a semi-nude state. According to the police, the accused also made a video of this entire act and shared it on social media. The accused have been identified as Gurpreet alias Gopa, Simranjit Singh alias Simma, Sandeep alias Sam, Rajveer and Ramdeep alias Kaka. Meharban police station in-charge Inspector Paramdeep Singh said that Simranjit Singh has been arrested, while the search for the remaining accused is on. He said, “This is not just a physical assault, but a barbaric attack on human dignity. We are investigating the matter in depth and will arrest all the culprits soon.” The police on Saturday registered an FIR under sections 115(2), 127(2), 351 of the Indian Penal Code, besides the IT Act and the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The victim’s family has demanded the strictest punishment for the accused and justice. Courtesy: Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: Allegations of discrimination against Dalits in temple, priest refuses to give ‘vibhuti’
The Dalit community in Vadavalam village in Pudukottai district has made serious allegations of caste discrimination and barring from entry in the temple, demanding protection from the administration. Tamil Nadu: Dalit residents of Vadavalam panchayat in Pudukottai district have alleged that they were subjected to caste discrimination at the Kaliyuga Meyya Ayyanar temple under HR&CE. They say that the priests refused to give them holy vibhuti (ash) during a ritual held outside the temple ahead of the annual Rath Festival on July 6. According to a complaint lodged at the Sambattividuthi police station the same day, after Deeparadhana, the priest distributed vibhuti to other devotees but deliberately left out Dalits. When the Dalits questioned this, the priest reportedly said, “We cannot give vibhuti to people like you.” According to media reports, M. Paniswamy, a Dalit resident of Vadavalam, said, “This is not just a matter of one day. For generations, we have been prevented from entering the temple, participating in rituals or even sitting in the same shade.” In a letter to Collector M. Aruna on Monday, Dalits from Vadavalam and nearby villages — Echadi Annanagar, Kandangarapathi, Chinnaiya Sathiram, Chettiapathi and Kayampatti — demanded full entry into the temple. They say they are regularly prevented from carrying milk pots, performing ‘mandagapadi’ or joining processions. They are not even allowed to set up water stalls during festivals. They allege that “social distancing” is enforced if they go beyond a certain point near the temple. VCK’s Thanjavur-Pudukottai zonal secretary Thirumaravan, who accompanied the Dalit residents, appealed to the district administration to ensure their safe entry into the temple on the day of Rathyatra festival on July 8 and to permanently restore their rights. Meanwhile, the Dalits also demanded action against the priests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and representation of Scheduled Caste people in the temple trustee board. Following the incident, a peace meeting was called by the Alangudi DSP and Pudukottai revenue officials on Monday. A senior revenue official said the Dalits were assured that they would be allowed to enter the temple during the upcoming festival and action would be taken against anyone who obstructed them. However, no decision has been taken yet on further action on the complaint lodged against priest Ganesh and Sambandham Gurukkal. Meanwhile, M. Anbuselvam, a member of the caste Hindu community who attended the peace meeting, denied any allegations. He said, “We did not stop anyone from entering. These allegations have been made for political purposes.” Courtesy : Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: Dalit woman brutally murdered in Kanchipuram, body found among junk in factory
38-year-old woman working in a cardboard factory in Enathur, Tamil Nadu beaten to death with iron rod, jewellery robbery also suspected, Dalit organisations demand fair probe. Tamil Nadu: A 38-year-old Dalit woman working in a cardboard box manufacturing unit near Enathur in Kanchipuram district was found dead with serious head injuries on Saturday evening (July 5). The woman has been identified as Selvi alias Hepsi, who hailed from Andi Siruvallur village and had joined the factory just a week ago. According to the police, Selvi was killed by being beaten with an iron rod. Her jewellery weighing about six sovereigns – gold chain, earrings and thali (mangalsutra) – was found missing from the spot. Selvi left home for work on Saturday morning but did not return till late night. After this, her husband Suresh and other family members went to look for her. On reaching the factory premises, they found an employee Senthil lying outside in a highly intoxicated state. When they did not get any clear answer from him, the family members went inside the warehouse, where Selvi’s body was found hidden among the junk. After this, the Ponnerikkarai police was informed. The body was sent to Kanchipuram Government Hospital for postmortem. Initial investigation by the police has not found any clear signs of sexual assault. However, the police is investigating whether the motive behind the murder was only to loot the jewellery or there is some other reason behind it. Officials are also trying to find out whether the incident was committed by an insider or an outsider had entered the factory. Factory owner Praveen Kumar and another employee have been detained for questioning. At the same time, Senthil is reported to have absconded and his search is on. Since Selvi belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, Dalit organizations have demanded a fair and transparent investigation after this incident. CCTV footage of the area is being scanned to find out if any outsider was involved in the incident. At present, the investigation of the case is going on. Courtesy: Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News
Tamil Nadu: Dalits refused ‘vibuthi’ at Pudukottai temple, submit plea
According to a complaint lodged at the Sambattividuthi police station, after performing the deeparadhanai, the temple priest distributed vibuthi to devotees but deliberately skipped Dalits. PUDUKOTTAI: Dalit residents of Vadavalam panchayat in Pudukottai district have alleged caste-based discrimination at HR&CE’s Kaliyuga Meyya Ayyanar Temple, claiming that priests refused to give them sacred ash during a ritual held outside the temple on July 6, ahead of the temple’s annual chariot festival. According to a complaint lodged at the Sambattividuthi police station on the same day, after performing the deeparadhanai, the temple priest distributed vibuthi to devotees but deliberately skipped Dalits. When questioned, the priest allegedly said, “We cannot give vibuthi to people like you.” “This is not just about one day,” M Paniswamy, a Dalit resident of Vadavalam told TNIE. “For generations, we have been excluded from entering the temple, taking part in rituals, or even sitting under the same shelter,” he added. In a letter to Collector M Aruna on Monday, Dalit residents from Vadavalam and neighbouring villages of Ichadi Annanagar, Kandangarapatti, Chinnaiya Sathiram, Chettiyappatti, and Kayampatti demanded that they be granted full access to the temple. They said they are routinely barred from carrying milk pots, performing ‘mandagapadi’ or joining processions. Even setting up water stalls during festivals is denied, they allege. A longstanding “social boundary” restricts them from crossing a certain point near the temple. Thirumaravan, VCK’s Thanjavur-Pudukkottai zonal secretary, who accompanied the Dalit residents, urged the district administration to escort them into the temple on July 8, the day of the temple car festival and ensure permanent access and protection. Meanwhile, the residents also sought action against the priests under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and demanded Scheduled Caste representation in the temple’s trustee board. Following the incident, a peace meeting was convened by Alangudi DSP and Pudukkottai revenue officials on Monday. A senior revenue official told TNIE that Dalits were assured they would be granted temple entry during the upcoming festival, and action would be taken against anyone obstructing it. However, no decision has been taken yet on whether to proceed with the complaint filed against priests Ganesh and Sambandham Gurukkal. However, M Anbuselvam, member of the caste Hindu community who was part of the peace meeting, denied any wrongdoing. “We did not stop anyone from entering. These allegations are politically motivated.” Courtesy : Pearson Lenekar SR, TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
VCK set to promote two non-Dalit MLAs as treasurer and general secretary
VCK is set to elevate two non-Dalit MLAs, Aloor J Mohamed Shanavas and S S Balaji, as the party’s one of the general secretaries and treasurer respectively. CHENNAI: In a move that underlines its stated intent of not getting pigeonholed as a ‘Dalit’ party, the VCK is set to elevate two non-Dalit MLAs, Aloor J Mohamed Shanavas and S S Balaji, as the party’s one of the general secretaries and treasurer respectively. According to party sources, Shanavas, currently a deputy general secretary and MLA representing Nagapattinam constituency, will fill a long-vacant slot of general secretary reserved for a non-Dalit in accordance with the party’s by-law. The post has remained unfilled since Kalaikottu Udhayam left the party to join NTK. Thiruporur MLA Balaji is expected to take over as treasurer, a position that has been vacant since the demise of former treasurer Yusuf. Party insiders said these appointments, expected to be made before the formal internal elections, are intended to signal the leadership’s commitment towards inclusivity and outreach. The elevation of a Muslim MLA as general secretary and a non-Dalit MLA as treasurer is seen as a strategic step to broaden the party’s support among religious minorities, OBCs, and other non-Dalits. The promotions are part of the party’s larger restructuring initiative by the VCK, which has expanded its district units from 144 to 234 to align with the number of Tamil Nadu’s assembly constituencies. The party – which has four MLAs – has appointed 83 senior functionaries to oversee the formation of new district teams, each comprising a district secretary, four deputy secretaries (including one woman and one non-Dalit), two executive members, and four additional office-bearers. The party has also committed to reserving 10% of district secretary posts for non-Dalits and women, and 25% for youth aged below 35. Courtesy : S Kumaresan, TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Atrocities on Dalits in Odisha Reflects Rising ‘Upper’ Caste Hostility Under the BJP Government
Shock waves spread across Odisha and indeed the country after men of the Dalit Pana community were beaten near Dharakot of Ganjam district of the state. They were forced to crawl with grass blades between their teeth and also to drink drain water. They went through that ordeal after they were falsely charged with smuggling cattle by Savarnas. According to media reports the accused have been arrested by Odisha police following a huge outcry against the inhuman treatment of Dalits. The Bharatiya Janata Party government headed by chief minister Mohan Majhi assumed office a year back. So far, the government has not done anything to stem such casteist mistreatment. This author has spoken to rural residents belonging to Dalit and Muslim communities, who believe that BJP workers in Odisha have had a role to play in making violent language against them the new normal in Odisha. Many say that this, in a society where it is not unusual to see people of all castes attending religious functions together, is a new low. Odisha had been one of the most caste conscious states in India but the relations were not marked so much by violence than widespread and structural discrimination. Growing caste hostility A campaign has been mounted by BJP functionaries, claiming that the Panas are beef eaters. The Pana community has a symbolic role to play in Hindu cultural traditions. They perform certain functions in temple ceremonies and weddings. Their skills in beating drums and playing traditional musical instruments are often priceless in Hindu rituals. People from the community collect the skins of dead cows to use them in their drums. Some are sold to shoemakers. Most are agricultural labourers and earning very little. Their temple roles are thus a source of revenue. In Ganjam district, Brahmins and Pradhan communities are usually landlords. It used to be casteist custom that Brahmins’ legs would dangle from their verandahs in such a manner that they would be above the heads of Dalit people. Similarly, Pradhans and other cultivating caste groups displayed a similar approach to Dalits who work as labourers in the agricultural fields. This special bond between Panas and cultivators fosters some kind of fictive kinship among them in rural Odisha. Changing dynamics Dharakota, the place where Pana people were subjected to the most recent atrocity, witnesses large-scale migration to Gujarat and Kerala by non-Dalits who operate a network among their communities. Panas and other Dalit workers have no option but to stay on at their respective villages and work in the lands owned by ‘upper’ caste people. There is, meanwhile, tussle here between Dalit and other backward class communities as both believe that the other is out to take their jobs. Affirmative action has meant government jobs for a section of Dalit people – leading to resentment among others. Pana people are also adept at maintaining livestock – something that leads to a degree of economic prosperity, which again is a precursor to social discontent. A new normal The spread of venomous Hindutva ideology combined with cultivated hatred against the Dalits and Panas in the name of cow protectionism has become a new normal in Odisha under the present BJP dispensation. Professor F.G. Bailey’s 1960 study Tribe Caste and Nation has shed light on the Pana people and their ties with the tribal Kandha community as a microcosm of the hatred at play. Pana people used to face stiff opposition from caste Hindus and the tribal community, both, in entering temples – an oppression that was overcome in due course. Now, Panas are elected sarpanches and play an important role in villages. But in early 2000, Hindutva politics entered into the area and recognised the Kandha as Hindus and Panas as Christians. It caused violent conflicts among them and often resulted in riots. With the coming of the BJP government the problem has been exacerbated. Caste Hindus, furious about the social mobility now enjoyed by Panas, have been pouncing on them with the ruse of cow protectionism. The heart-rending ill treatment of Panas near Dharakot is a blot not only on society and culture of Odisha but on democratic politics. Courtesy : Radha Kant Barik, The Wire Note: This news is originally published on https:/thewire.com/ and is for use by the non-military/non-commercial community, especially those in the human rights sector.
Dalit child murdered in land dispute…body hung from tree, grandfather said ‘police kept being negligent’, know the whole matter
The body of a 9-year-old Dalit boy was found hanging from a tree in Nighasan police station area of Lakhimpur Kheri. The family has accused the neighbours of murder in a land dispute. On the complaint of the victim, the police has registered a case against four people and arrested them and sent them to jail. While a sub-inspector has been suspended for negligence. The body of a 9-year-old Dalit boy was found hanging from an acacia tree on Thursday night in Harsinghpur Majra Jummanpurwa of Jhandi Chowki under Nighasan police station area of Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased was identified as Pappu, son of Jamuna Prasad, resident of Jummanpurwa. The family has accused Chunna, Mumtaz, Chhote and Qayyum of the same village of murder due to land dispute. The police has arrested all the four accused and sent them to jail. Also, Jhandi Chowki in-charge Durgesh Sharma was suspended on charges of negligence. Pappu had gone to cut grass on Thursday evening, but when he did not return home, the family started searching for him. At night his body was found hanging from an acacia tree in a banana field about 250 meters away from the house. According to the deceased’s father Jamuna Prasad, there were injury marks on the body and his vest was torn. The family alleges that Pappu was first beaten and then killed and the body was hung from the tree. Family’s protest and police action On receiving information about the body being found, CO Mehak Sharma and Kotwal Mahesh Chandra reached the spot with the police force. The family expressed suspicion of murder and refused to take down the body from the tree and demanded to call the DM and immediately arrest the accused. The uproar continued till late night. When the situation became tense, the Additional SP reached the spot and assured strict action against the culprits, after which the family allowed the body to be taken down for post-mortem. Police accused of negligence The grandfather of the deceased said that the accused had occupied his inhabited land, against which he complained several times, but no action was taken. He accused the Jhandi Chowki in-charge of negligence and said that if action had been taken on time, his grandson’s life could have been saved. Case registered, four accused arrested SP Sankalp Sharma said that on the basis of the complaint of the family, a case of murder has been registered against four accused Chunna, Mumtaz, Chhote and Qayyum. All four have been arrested and sent to jail. Intensive investigation of the case is going on. On Friday, when the body of the deceased reached home after post-mortem, Bajrang Dal workers reached the spot and demonstrated by raising slogans. Edited by: Devesh Pandey About the author He is serving in Navbharat Times Online. Earlier, he also served in many digital platforms along with electronic channels like Bharat Samachar, India News, News1 India. He has about 8 years of experience in journalism. He has done post graduation in Mass Communication from Lucknow University. Courtesy : Hindi News