The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Malas, Madigas clash at Ambedkar Jayanti fete

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Malas, Madigas clash at Ambedkar Jayanti fete

Special Correspondent

Song in praise of a Madiga leader led to the skirmish
The 2 communities later staged demonstrations

HYDERABAD: Members of Mala and Madiga communities clashed at the official Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations on Tank Bund here on Monday, leading to an abrupt end to the public meeting organised to mark the occasion.

It all started when Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) convener Manda Krishna was about to address the gathering under a huge tent in front of Ambedkar’s statue in the afternoon. Supporters of Mr. Krishna started singing a song in his praise which was objected to by members of Mala community on the ground that the occasion did not warrant admiring anyone other than Ambedkar. However, the Madigas raised their voice of protest against the demand of the rivals.

Soon, a portion of the crowd was divided into two groups on caste lines. They raised slogans and pushed each other. The dais was swarmed by a number of people from both sides. They threw the tables, chairs and mike all over as the guests seated on the dais left the place. Appeals by Mr. Krishna and a Mala leader Kashanna for maintenance of peace went in vain. Mr. Krishna left the venue a little later as the public address system went out of order.

Under control

The police stepped in immediately to bring the situation under control. With that, the organisers announced the end of the programme. Later, the Mala community staged a dharna near the statue of Ambedkar while the Madigas held a similar demonstration near the statue of Babu Jagjeevan Ram in front of Nizam College.

A steady stream of people in groups and processions was witnessed at Ambedkar’s statue throughout the day. Andhra Pradesh Governor N.D. Tiwari, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu, were among those who garlanded the statue.

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

Andhra Pradesh