CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna on Saturday said a four-member fact-finding committee would be sent to Garagaparru village of Palacoderu mandal in West Godavari district on Sunday following alleged social boycott of Dalit families by a section of “caste” Hindus.
Speaking to mediapersons, he said while the State government was keen on supporting a Dalit for the post of President, it was allowing repressive acts on Dalits in its rule.
“Garagaparru Dalits wanted to install a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, which was allegedly objected to by “caste” Hindus. Even district Collector and Joint Collector supported the upper caste people and registered cases against Dalits. The government should take the issue seriously and initiate action against the persons from dominant castes who humiliated the Dalits,” he said.
He said former MLCs Jalli Wilson, P.J. Chandrasekahar Rao, Tatipaka Madhu and Dega Prabhakar would visit Garagaparru and meet the Dalits facing social boycott. “The CPI will stage an agitation in Amaravati if the government fails to support the Dalits and bring the oppressors to book,” Mr Ramakrishna said.
Referring to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s remarks in view of the Nandyal by-election, he sought the interference of the Election Commission.
“In a programme organised at Nandyal, he [Mr. Naidu] said he would give ₹5, 000 per vote, which exposed the intention of the ruling party to use money to win the election,” he pointed out.
Mr. Ramakrishna expressed dissatisfaction over both the State and the Union governments in selecting Ram Nath Kovind as pesidential candidate.
