Dalit parties blame govt. for failing to take timely action
Government should have adopted tough stand against PMK’s campaign”
The two main Dalit parties in the State have said the government failed to protect the life of E. Ilavarasan, the youth who married a woman outside his caste and was found dead in Dharmapuri two days ago.
Puthiya Tamilagam founder K. Krishnaswamy, MLA, and Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the government should have adopted a tough stand against the Pattali Makkal Katchi’s (PMK) campaign against inter-caste marriages.
“That a marriage involving in inter-caste couple could not be saved indicates the failure of the State,” Dr. Krishnasamy said in an interview to The Hindu on Saturday. Dr. Krishnasamy said the Anaithu Samudhaya Padhugapu Iyakkam, forum of non-Dalit castes, was established in the State and anti-scheduled caste feelings were fomented. This was against the Constitution and could attract action under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The government machinery, which ought to protect the weaker sections, did nothing to prevent such a forum from spewing anti-Dalit rhetoric.
“Except for the District Collector in Madurai, none of the civil services officers saw it as a menacing law and order issue or practice of discrimination.”
The forum sought to create a wedge between communities.
“The government gave a long rope to these casteist forces to function and gain a psychological impetus to oppress the SCs. If the State had taken proper action, the Dalit boy’s death could have been prevented,” the PT leader added.
Both the Central and State governments should have taken the inter-caste marriage seriously and should have intervened to provide asylum to the couple. Speaking to The Hindu Mr. Thirumavalavan said he felt guilty he was not able to protect Ilavarasan’s life. “The whole episode, starting from the Dharmapuri anti-Dalit violence to the separation of the inter-caste couple, was orchestrated by the PMK with political motives.”
The PMK took complete control of the girl’s family and twisted the matter in court.
“The government which supports inter-caste marriages with financial assistance under special schemes failed to protect the inter-caste couple.”
The VCK demanded a judicial enquiry, steps to free Divya and her family from the PMK’s influence and provide both the two families with family adequate police protection.
MADURAI, July 7, 2013
Source: The Hindu
