The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : What a shame!

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Thursday, Apr 28, 2005

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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

What a shame!

Yet again the elected president of Keeripatti panchayat in Tamil Nadu has resigned. All democratic minded people must feel ashamed of the state of affairs in not only Keeripatti but also in some other reserved panchayats of the State where, besides social exploitation, Dalits are also kept away from participating in the political process. Elections have been a success even in insurgency-hit Jammu and Kashmir, but not in these tiny hamlets.

Dalits living in these villages are heavily dependent on caste Hindus who are also landowners. The solution is to break the shackles of landlordism and distribute land to the landless, of whom Dalits constitute the major chunk. Unless this is done, empowerment of Dalits cannot be taken to its logical conclusion.

P. Venkatesh,
Salem, T.N.

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