Sangareddy: The Dalita Dandu Poru Yatra undertook by the Kula Vivaksha Vyatireka Porata sangham in Medak district has reported continuing discrimination against Dalits by the upper castes here. The yatra that began on 31 March from Ramtirtha village of Nyalkal mandal bordering Karnataka, concluded here on Wednesday.

Not welcome in temples.

KVPS district general secretary K.Rajaiah said the 20-member team has walked through Nyalkal, Raikode, Jherasangham, Kohir, Zaheerabad, Munipally, Sadasivapet, and Kondapurand Sangareddy mandals. He said that they were shocked to note that Dalits are not allowed to enter into any temple in the district.

The members objected to such practices in 15 places. While in Ramtirth the hotelier who practiced two-glass system ran away fearing trouble the members succeeded in breaking the glasses kept separately for the Dalits as a mark of protest in Nyalkal, Kohir and Munipaly mandals. Similarly barbers in many places were made to give haircut to Dalits in the presence of the police. KVPS pointed out that though the barbers had no objection to provide service to Dalits they are afraid of reprisal by the forward castes.

Rajaiah pointed out that the District SC ST Atrocities (prevention) committee under the chairmanship of the district Collector had not met for years.

He demanded that the committee be reorganised with members who have compassion for the problems of the Dalits and should convene a meeting to review the status of Dalits in the district. Citing the examples of Malkapur, Naganpalli of Jherasangam, Venkatapur of Kohir the Dalits allege that police force in Medak district is not sensitive enough towards the problems of the weaker sections and they are biased.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail