Demands dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Marking the formal emergence of a socio-political movement against Dalit assertion in Tamil Nadu, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Sunday brought together groups belonging to intermediate castes to hit out at sections of the Scheduled Castes and demand dilution of the law aimed at curbing anti-Dalit atrocities.
Repeatedly referring to the meeting held here as one of non-Dalit organisations, Dr. Ramadoss, whose support base is drawn from the Vanniyars, identified officially as a Most Backward Class, demanded amendments to prevent the misuse of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and accused Dalit youth of fomenting social tension by filing false complaints under the law and ensnaring girls from other castes with bogus professions of love.
“They wear jeans, T-shirts and fancy sunglasses to lure girls from other communities,” he told reporters. A resolution adopted at the meeting cited statistics of broken marriages to claim that inter-caste marriages ended in failure because they were unions born out of caste design and not love.
In the company of groups representing various intermediate castes and some Muslim organisations too, the PMK leader said all of them would hold demonstrations across the State on January 4 to press the demand for amending the Act to prevent its misuse against non-Dalits.
The emergence of a caste bloc against Dalits may not augur well for inter-caste relations in Tamil Nadu, especially in the aftermath of the Dharmapuri violence of early November.
Dalits, mediapersons and political parties including the DMK have pointed fingers at the PMK for allegedly spearheading the attack in which hundreds of homes were burnt down in Dalit habitations.
Dalit leaders and intellectuals have seen in the violence signs that it was the economic prosperity of the Dalits that was the real target of such attacks. Similar, but smaller incidents took place in Cuddalore district recently.
However, the caste revivalism represented by this bloc is set to face political resistance too. Left, Dalit and other parties plan to come together to counter the trend, assert the rights of SCs and seek measures to strengthen the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
“Intermediate castes coming together against inter-caste marriage and on other social issues is unacceptable,” said CPI (M) State Secretary G. Ramakrishnan.
Keywords: Dalit clashes, Dalit colonies, PMK founder S. Ramadoss, intermediate caste groups, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
I echo your views Mr Subramanian Ravi!True colours are open to the public now.And will PERIYAR be turning in the grave? For he to belonged to the Vanniar caste like Ramdoss.Great renaissance !But these bigshots will definetelt take back their words publicly but privately they are what they are.Ant- Dalits.
Actually no one has any rights to speak about any community/people.
Caste is racism here. And government should be bring in a Strict laws such as Non-Discrimination Act in every sector.
@ Rajendran
Your comment that all dalits should leave Hinduism because only Hinduism supports the caste system is silly. Even among Christians/muslims, there is a so called "backward class", SC/ST etc. For example, among Indian muslims, there is shia, sunni, Ahmediya, Khoya, lebbai , Dawoodi etc etc. Likwise, in christianity, there are Nadar christians, SC christians etc. Please do your research properly before you demonise Hinduism.
We call ourself a democracy??!!
All great leaders in the past worked so hard to remove the caste system from society and taught people to treat each other with respect. It is so disgusting and distressing to see this "caste bloc" in this modern era.
Election commission should ban all these caste political parties if they really intend to create a society of equality.
Youngters are very smart and girls dont fall in love for jeans and t-shirts. This caste bloc will allow such girls to fall in love if it is within our community.
Shame to our constitution!!!
Are such comments by S.Ramadoss not unconstitutional and illegal? The Madras High Court or the Supreme Court must initiate action against S.Ramadoss for gross communal remarks against Dalits and against Caste-unity by targetting Dalits for inter-caste marriages.
Its an Impediment to the communal harmony in TN: There is a serious
emergence of need for the enactment of new law to curb this perpetrators
from involving in revival of casteism and caste bloc in our secular
state!!!
A crystal clear violation of Section of 66A of the Information
Technology Act: Now its TN govt's turn for the implementation of this
act against this perpetrators of revival of caste bloc!!!!
all backward caste hindus are united against dalits. all caste hindus are already united against dalits. then why this dalits to remain in hindu fold. let them embrace a religion where they get respect and equality and where no discrimination based on birth. let this be an opurtunity to unite dalits not only in all india basis but also internationally. so long as hindu religion exists, there will be caste discrimination. one has to live for 60-70 years in a life time. why dalit should live as individual hated by others. if the entire dalits in india can convert to some semitic religion, the world order can be changed. decide the dalits.
I always wondered why the 'DK' which always speaks about 'social justice', keeps quiet whenever attrocities on dalits are reported. Now I understand that such Social Justice is intended for castes, who are other than dalits.For them Dalits should remain marginalised and serve the so called dominant castes like slaves.
While I am against caste politics particularly now played by Mr
Ramadoss, an opportunist politician, I am also equally against Dalit
politics dictating terms to win unjustifiable advantages at the cost
of well deserving meritorious and needy, taking undue advantage of the
dirty Indian vote bank politics. India won freedom in 1947 and it is
more than 65 years that we have been encouraging/pampering dalits at
the cost of deserving and talented many in the society. Dalits who
have already availed the benefits for three generations (Holding elite
positions as Professors,IAS,IPS, Businessmen etc.,)should now allow
opportunity to others by competing in the open quota. Are the demands
made by Mayavathi in Parliament seeking reservation in Promotions
etc., are justifiable? . It is time, people ponder over extension of
concessions to prosperous and uplifted dalits and seek
termination/phasing out of these benefits over a period of time in the
interests of all deserving citizens of India.
The best expected out of Mr. Ramadoss, nothing short of his societal
shortsightedness. Why would anyone need a caste-reservation, if no
demarcation is being done? It's because that the Dalits are still
being ignored and being harassed (to say least) that the Indian
government still upholds the reservation. I do agree that although
caste vote plays a key reason for our reservation drama, do we have
any other way to let the so called "untouchables" come up in life? And
why is that Mr. Ramadoss created a havoc sometime back to have them
included under MBC's? Isn't it for their own good that they get by not
being listed in BC / FC.? If he(rather they) are fair enough to get
perks out of caste, why shouldn't others be given the same? Fairness
should be throughout. If the rule is to be amended, simple - remove
all reservations, all caste based things. Let everyone compete equally
in all terms.
Marriage is up to the boy ,girl and perhaps to an extent the parents.
Why let any out-lier in?
This he calls social engineering and states that Mayawati used this process to come to power in Uttar Pradesh.But how come she was defeated subsequently?! He professes to stand alone in the next general election with this social engineering and expects to come to power.The erstwhile rulers of Tamilnadu used the Dalit card to come to power! Hope the public use their wisdom and vote!
I would like to quote our great Constitution here.Acc to Article 17,“Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in
any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability
arising out of “Untouchability” shall be an offence
punishable in accordance with law.Why not Mr.(?)Ramadoss be punished for his hatred speech against those oppressed society and it is disheartening to see the representative of Dalits, Mr.Thirumavalan pleading before human community that his clans are in danger in the very place where Dravidian parties are holding strong breath.Leaders like him to be punished severely to prove that nobody is above law.Honorable Supreme Court should take cognisance of this media report and take suitable action.Thanks The Hindu for once again coming in defence of oppressed people and Your role is much bigger than this. Jai Hind!
Mr Ramadoss should think before commenting. His present speech is
Violation of Indian Constitution,as he is restricting equality in front
of law. If he believes that inter-caste marriage is not a good, then he
should check the history of Indian Politician, & so called Upper Caste
Fellows.
“They wear jeans, T-shirts and fancy sunglasses to lure girls from other
communities,” he told reporters. A resolution adopted at the meeting cited statistics
of broken marriages to claim that inter-caste marriages ended in failure because
they were unions born out of caste design and not love.
All young people wear clothes that are current and cool in their opinion. To see this as part of elaborate caste vendetta in one group and to cite dubious statistics really stretches things a bit - obviously the good Doctor would prefer we run khap
panchayats to maintain social order!
It is appalling to know that politicians like Ramadoss still encourage caste-based distinctions in the society in 21st century. Banking on caste-based votes shows a parochial attitude and such narrow-mindedness is unwarranted for any leader, whose aim otherwise should be to patronize various sections of the society to lead it forward. Statements made by Ramadoss are likely to foment division of the society and serve as false inspiration to the disoriented - those statements ought to be censured.
Dr. S.Ramadoss, the erstwhile caste outfit leader converted his outfit
into a political party and, all along, aligned with other major
political parties, on either ways, for the sole purpose of power and
money. Now having isolated by other political parties, he started
instigating his own caste, besides wooing other castes, for political
score against the oppressed class people. He is now trying to gather
the support of other caste Hindu to show off his strength so that he
could possibly bargain with major political parties for possible
alliance in the ensuing election.
PMK and its founder did not succeed in vote bank politics even after taking up the Srilankan Tamil issue.Now they have taken up this caste issue to garner caste vote.India can't develop as long as caste and caste based politicians are there!!!!!
I wonder when we will get the idea that after 18, people are free to choose their own life.
This man is a dangerous person who would do anything to keep himself relevant on
caste based politics. As human beings we need a decent living with a job, home,
food and equal opportunity society. Leaders should be above caste. This man
survives on caste. If there is no caste there is no place for him. People of all caste, especially the caste that he claims to represent should show him his irrelevance.Power to all people.
It is not surprising to hear these comments from Mr Ramdoss who claims
himself a politician who is dependent on vote bank from his community.It
is sad that we don't have any system in place to check these kind of
statements made against a particular caste.This is a total mis use of
freedom of speech.When people are arrested for making facebook comments
and twitter tweets, why not the same action be taken against people who
make statement that disrupt communal harmony.
In my humble opinion, people like Ramadoss, Bal Thackerey and Pramod Muthalik should be selling lollypops in Saudi Arabia or Tora Bora. Seriously, they should consider it!
Very complex situation, similar like the haryana caste panchayats. I think bringing the DMK back to power will only be able to solve the upcoming caste based war , which is going to be created by this unit.
Why don't we work together towards a casteless Tamilnadu? Why do people who already have enough help some and improve the lives of the don't-have-anything people?
Dr.Ramadass is battling a failed political career with ill conceived ideology. Instead of annihilating the caste system in the society Dr.Ramadass is trying to reinforce the caste system in Tamilnadu. Dr. Ramadass and other caste leaders come together to supress the upcoming of Scheduled Castes which against the Constitution and against the nature. His party should be debarred by the Election Commission for this reason. You are not a political leader , you are only a caste group leader and you have no moral to talk about entire tamil society.
Wearing Jeans T Shirts and fancy sun glasses to lure upper caste girls. What a finding. So dalits should wear only dusty dhoti with no upper wear. This is the social justice Ramdoss wants. Else they will burn Dalit's homes and teach them lesson.Unbelivable mind set.
This is a dangerous move by the so-called leader. People should see the malafide and selfish motives behind this.
Tamil Nadu has become a casteist society with all political parties using 'reservations for the backward sections' and anti-Brahmin slogans to achieve their selfish ends. Uplifting the Dalits was never their objective. Thanks to Mr Ramadoss, we can now understand the real colors of the representatives of the so-called "backward" communities.
It is shocking see such alliance of so called caste Hindus opposing the intercaste marriages. Many love marriages fail, but that does not mean that all the failed marriages are intercaste marriages. It may be true that majority of intercaste love marriages meet a tragic end, but it may not be due to caste differences. There are so many social aspects for a failed marriage and that cannot be related to intercaste marriages. Political leaders like Dr.Ramdass are misleading the people with a false statistics. In my opinion most of the love marriages happen because of mere bodily attraction between men and women and there, there is no place for understanding about their future. After marriage, when the couple meet the reality,they are unable cope up due to lack of guidence to them from both of their parents and relatives. They are left alone to decide their own fate and therefore the intercaste marriages meet the tragic end. Dr.Ramadass's alligations are absolutely baseless.
This guy seems to be living in 18th century at present.
Tamilnadu politicians has used Dalit cards to make money as we see in present day DMK clan.Even they do not consider the 2G spectrum issues as a fraud act actioned by DMK leaders in charge of telecom.Backlash on Dalits are bound to occur as the result of caste based politics played in tamilnadu.However the cancer of casteism is engulfing whole India and may be within three decades we may see the situaation of Syria replicating in India.
Our founding fathers had a healthy debate before deciding to offer caste based benefits for
a limited period of 10 years. The intent was clearly to get rid of the evil of casteism once a
generation of oppressed people had the support of the government. Later day politicians
have used caste to divide, spill blood and rule the people. An impotent judicial system
watches helplessly as more and more caste based benefits are enacted into law endlessly.
This creates bitterness and frustration at all levels. The results are now here for all to see.
Caste wars are being fought on our streets with the support of coniving political parties.
This is not just about Ramdoss or VCK or Tamil Nadu. As a nation, we have completely
lost our moral fibre.
Our CM should make a visit to this village and register her condemnation aginst this planned atrocities and ensure confidence in the mind of the people that the govt is impartial.She doesn't make a visit to Sivagasi, she doesn't make a visit to Dharmapuri, where is the concern for the issues of people?
Ramadoss, instead of condemning the attack disreagard of caste orientations,he is accusing the Law, which is the only resort to this powerless people,to be amended. SO that he and his Vanniyar community bretheren can fearlessly stage a oragnised attack against the Dalit people. He should be arrested for instigating violence through his sppeech the Vanniyars against the Dalits. what politics Ramadoss is trying to play here? He has been violating this SC/ST (prevention of Atrocities) act, now he feels that this law is hindering their casteisitic activities to be staged against the Dalits. I would request all the promoters of human dignity to come heavily against this "evil force" and reiterate that we are not for caste politics, but for dignified human life.
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