ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Health minister alleges ostracism of Dalits by caste Hindus

Dalits of Chettikulam village in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu were being subjected to "third degree torture" after caste Hindus imposed a social boycott against them following a marriage between a Dalit and a caste Hindu.

Giving this information to newsmen in Madras, Union Minister of State for Health Dalit R Ezhilmalai, who had visited the village, said caste Hindus had prevented supply of rice and kerosene to the Dalits after the marriage which took place two months ago.

Even teachers and the civil supplies department employees had been prevented from attending to their works, he alleged.

He further alleged that Dalit youths and girls were once tied together and Dalit youths were tied upside down with fire lit beneath them.

He regretted that no action had been taken in connection with the incident although complaints were lodged with the district collector and superintendent of police. Asked about this inaction, the SP told him that the first information report had been filed, he added.

After he had warned that he would take up the matter with the prime minister, home minister and chief minister, the SP had promised to give details of the action taken by today. But he had not received any information till now, the minister added.

Ezhilmalai expressed surprise that the incident, which took place in the village which was 11 km away from Perambalur, a district headquarters, had not come to light.

He said about 600 families in the village were suffering due to the social boycott.

On the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, he said Dr Chellakumar, a Tamil Maanila Congress legislator and an ally of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has levelled serious charges on the law and order situation on the floor of the state assembly.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report