The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Privatisation, new attack on Dalits: Yechury

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 24, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Privatisation, new attack on Dalits: Yechury

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, OCT.23. The concept of privatisation backed by economic reforms is a new attack on Dalits, since it will aggravate social oppression by depriving them of education and employment, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Politburo member, Sitaram Yechury, said on Thursday.

Addressing a gathering at a State-level conference on "Abolition of untouchability," organised by the CPI (M) here, he expressed concern that the evil practice (of untouchability) was still prevalent in Tamil Nadu in various forms such as double-tumbler system.

"It is shocking that elections are not being allowed in some reserved panchayats. Unless the Dalits revolt against it, social transformation is not possible in the society."

Mr. Yechury said there was a growing consciousness among the Dalits against the atrocities perpetuated against them. "Though this is a positive sign, we must ensure that political leaders who survive on caste-based parties do not exploit this development."

The Communist Parties had always attached great importance to the movements of social reform. The CPI- (M) was the only party which regularly fielded Dalit candidates in general constituencies and made them win. The only exception was the case of Sushil Kumar Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who also won from a general constituency.

"We have to carry forward this struggle to achieve what has to be achieved to uplift the oppressed section."

Mr. Yechury said economic empowerment of the Dalits was essential to abolish untouchability since it would provide respectability. The ideological and intellectual battle against the higher castes has also to be taken up with vigour. There was a spurt in Dalit literature in various languages in the recent years.

"We have to demolish the so-called artificial intellectual superiority that this caste order wants to impose, distorting some historical facts."

The Government at the Centre was taking different public welfare measures to promote education, health and rural infrastructure. "We will support the United Progressive Alliance Government till such time it implements the Common Minimum Programme. There is no threat either to its stability or tenure. If Atal Behari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani cannot sit on the Opposition benches, let them resign," he said.

The CPI (M) was mounting pressure on the UPA to implement reservation in the private sector, which the Congress assured in its election manifesto. To begin with, we have suggested that the reservation policy be implemented in the public sector undertakings, which were privatised during the BJP regime, Mr. Yechury added.

The CPI (M) State secretary, N. Varadarajan, the central committee member, K. Varadarajan, the Madurai MP, P. Mohan, and others spoke. Several resolutions were passed at the conference.

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