Outrage over the alleged humiliation of a Dalit Panchayat president in Kozhikode! Cow dung water sprinkled in the name of 'purification'? SC/ST Commission demands report from the police. Learn the full story.
Kozhikode: A case of alleged humiliating “purification ritual” against a former Panchayat president in Kozhikode district of Kerala is escalating. The Kerala State Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission has taken a strong stance on the incident that took place in front of the Changaroth Panchayat office in Perambra. The commission has directed the Kozhikode District Police Chief to investigate the matter and submit a detailed report within 10 days.
It is alleged that the act was carried out with the intention of humiliating the outgoing Panchayat president, Unni Venjeri, who belongs to the Dalit community.
What is the whole matter?
According to media reports, cow dung water was sprinkled and a special ritual was performed outside the Changaroth Panchayat office. This is being seen as an insult to the president, who belongs to the Dalit community. The commission chairperson has given clear instructions to the police to register a case immediately based on the complaint, conduct an impartial investigation, and take appropriate legal action against the culprits.
Police and Opposition’s Argument
Perambra police informed that on Monday, during the election victory celebrations, a group of United Democratic Front (UDF) workers sprinkled water and cleaned the area outside the Panchayat office with brooms. The police said, “No formal complaint has been registered regarding this incident so far, therefore, no case has been registered.”
On the other hand, leaders of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) have rejected these allegations. They argue that the youth used water and brooms only symbolically. Their intention was to convey the message that they were cleaning the dirt of corruption from the Panchayat, and not to target any particular individual. Allegations of Caste-Based Humiliation
Outgoing president Unni Venjeri expressed deep sorrow over the incident and alleged that IUML (Indian Union Muslim League) workers were behind it. He questioned why similar celebrations or rituals were not observed in the three other panchayats that the UDF (United Democratic Front) had also won from the LDF (Left Democratic Front). According to Venjeri, this incident occurred in Changaroth because he was a Dalit president.
Becoming emotional, Venjeri said, “If someone perceives this as caste-based humiliation, can they be blamed?” He stated that the panchayat, under the LDF’s rule for the past five years, had worked inclusively, but the IUML had orchestrated this act with a specific agenda.
Protests Erupt
The incident has fueled political protests in the district. The CPM’s (Communist Party of India (Marxist)) youth wing, DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India), marched to the Changaroth panchayat office on Tuesday, strongly condemning the act. According to the police, the protest was peaceful, and the situation in the area is under control. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has also announced that they will hold another protest march on this issue.
Rajan Chaudhary
Courtesy: Hindi News