A fact-finding team comprising human rights activists representing various organizations has demanded a judicial enquiry by a sitting judge of the Madras High Court into the violent incidents reported at Marakkanam in Villuppuram district on April 25.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, A. Marx of the Peoples Union of Human Rights said the attack on Dalits was a pre-planned one and adequate deployment of police personnel could have averted the violence. All political parties should come forward to condemn the attempt being made to isolate Dalits from the society.
Saying that the speeches made by some leaders at the ‘Chithra Pournami’ festival organised in Mahabalipuram by the ‘Vanniyar Sangam’ were aimed at denigrating Dalits, he urged the police to register cases under the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 1989, against the accused persons.
Mr. Marx said that if the police had taken firm action in the attack on Dalits in Dharmapuri district a few months ago, the incident in Marakkanam could have been prevented. “Political parties in the State should unite and put an end to this hate campaign targeting Dalits. Since the ‘Chitra Pournami’ festival is disrupting peace and causing disharmony in society, police should deny permission to the event for a few years,” he said.
