Friday, March 20, 2009

Demonstration against untouchability in Cuddalore district

CPI (M) stages demo against ‘untouchability’ - The Hindu

Special Correspondent

flaying discrimination: CPI (M) cadres staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate in Cuddalore on Tuesday. —

CUDDALORE:Cadres of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), including women, staged a demonstration in front of the Collectorate here on Tuesday, decrying the prevalence of untouchability in certain villages.

District secretary of the party S. Dhanasekaran said that there were about 300 Dalit families in Nallathur, who were denied their rights in all aspects of life. He alleged that the Dalits were not properly enrolled or given regular work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Two-tumbler system was still prevalent at tea shops where the Dalits were not allowed to sit.

Temples, community halls, marriage halls and even barber shops were out of bounds for them. The village also lacked basic amenities such as schools, anganwadis and fair price shops.

At Periya Kanganakuppam, a graveyard allotted to the Dalits had been encroached upon.

The CPI (M) urged the authorities to invoke the provisions of the Scheduled Castes/Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and also restore the rights of the Dalits.

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