Organisations representing Dalits and Adivasis from across Telangana are planning to organise a public meeting in Warangal to protest Supreme Court’s ruling to amend the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.
In a meeting called by five organisations representing Dalit and Adivasi rights — Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS), Mala Mahanadu, Lambada Hakkula Porata Samiti and Erukula Hakkula Porata Samiti — it was decided that ‘Chalo Warangal’ will be held on May 27. A total of 30 lakh people, including those from Mala, Madiga organisations, Lambada and other Adivasi organisations are expected to be part of the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Manda Krishna Madiga of MRPS said the meeting will be the first step towards bringing different organisations from across South Indian states on a single platform to fight against dilution of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
In an intellectual brain storming session organised prior to the meeting, Mr. Manda Krishna said: “Prevention of Atrocities Act should be brought under 9th Schedule of the Constitution. It should be protected for the safety of both the people and the Constitution of the country.”
Chennaiah of Mala Mahanadu, Balaiah Naik of Lambada Hakkula Porata Samithi and U. Prabhakar of Erukula Hakkula Porata Samithi pledged their support to the proposed public meeting. The Warangal meeting will have the presence of other Mala, Madiga and Adivasi organisations, the leaders announced.
