Call to join Protest Dharna in solidarity with National Federation of Dalit Women (NFDW) at Jantar Mantar @March7th)

Dr. Ruth Manorama

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF DALIT WOMEN (NFDW)

# 392, 11^TH Main, 3^rd Block, Jayanagar

Bangalore – 560011

To,

Dear Friends,

Sub:  Kindly join in the Protest Dharna at Jantar Mantar – New Delhi from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 7^th March 2013

Regarding the recent Caste Atrocities against Dalits in Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu – appealing for solidarity to get justice for the victims by participating in the protest march organised by Samuga Samatuva Padai Party iand other State and National Dalit, Human Rights, womens organisation and other progressive/social movements  organisations –

–  – – – –

We would like to bring to your kind attention that atrocities were committed against Dalits in Dharmapuri (Kondmbatti, Natham, Anna Nagar, Sellangottai Villages) in which 268 houses of Dalits have been burnt and total estimated loss is nearly Rs. 40 Crores.  In these villages the mob looted, plundered, burnt vehicles  and finally torched down the dalit houses.   The people have lost all their belongings including family identity cards, employment registration cards, school certificates and other land documents including valuables and sources of livelihood. The attack was meant to destroy the resurgence of Dalits. (K.A.Shaji, TNN Nov 11, 2012m 03:06 a.m.IST)

The genesis of these atrocities should be located in the immediate event of inter-caste marriage between Vanniyar girl and a Dalit boy and the suicide of the girl’s father.  It is the provocative campaigns of Dr.Ramadass, Founder of PMK and Mr. Kadu Vetti Guru MLA, of the same party are solely responsible.  They were campaigning for the withdrawal of the Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act 1989 and inter-caste marriage in recent times.  In their campaigns they have openly threatened those who are contemplating on inter-caste marriage with due consequences.  Their campaigns have been widely covered in the newspapers.  As a result other Caste forces like Kongu Vellalar and Devar Communities have started campaigning against inter-caste marriage.  It is but for their provocation and support that the Caste Hindus would not have the courage to attack the Dalits.

Moreover the Govt. of Tamil Nadu did not bother to stop such campaigns hence the caste Hindus unleashed violence causing great damage to Dalit property.  Further in the recent atrocity in Dharmapuri, Govt. of Tamil Nadu had not taken cognizance of the elaborate preparations of the Vanniyars for a planned attack on Dalits through the State Intelligence System and did not take preventive steps to stop it.  When the inter-caste married couple approached the District Police Authorities for protection, they did not take any action to call for a peace committee meeting between the Dalits and the Vanniyars and prevent the incident.

Having known the conspiracy of the Caste Hindus (Vanniyars) the Govt. had allowed them to attack the Dalits.  Because of the Govt’s inaction there are subsequent attacks in Cuddalore District too. And there is a fear that it will spread to other districts of Tamilnadu. The indifference of State Government has led to total failure of Law & Order situation in Tamil Nadu.

The Casteist forces continued to campaign for abolition of  Prevention of Atrocities (SC/ST) Act 1989, a social legislation which is meant to protect the interest of the schedule caste and the campaign against inter-caste marriage is against the democracy and social equality.

PROTEST DHARNA AT JANTAR MANTAR – NEW DELHI

10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 7^th of March 2013.

The objective of the Protest is :

1.   To support the cause of the victims in rebuilding their life in all respects.

2.    To prevent the recurrence of such atrocities in future.

We demand that the Central Government must  stop communities and leaders who instigate atrocities through “Hate speech” in the name of Caste against the Schedule Caste people in Tamilnadu and other states. 

Kindly join us in the Protest March by extending your support and solidarity to the victims of the affected communities,  to be held on the 7^th of March 2013 in Delhi,

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours sincerely,

(P.SIVAKAMI)                                                                 (RUTH MANORAMA)

Mob: 91-9444487856                                                    Mob: 91-9844057734                 

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