Madurai: A study undertaken in 114 reserved panchayats by dalits’ rights organization Evidence has found that panchayat presidents undergo caste-based oppression ranging from verbal abuse by dominant castes to assault. One panchayat leader was killed as well.
Evidence executive director A Kathir told reporters on Thursday that they deployed 17 researchers in March for a field study in 19 districts. There are 12,525 panchayats in the state, of which 2,352 are reserved for scheduled castes. Almost all of the 114 presidents acknowledged they faced oppression which could be categorised into 30 types including sexual harassment of women panchayat leaders. The president of Tharavendiram panchayat in Krishnagiri district, Narasimhamoorthy, was murdered in August 2022. Relatives of presidents have been assaulted in many reserved panchayats, Kathir said.
In all, 87 panchayat presidents said they are discriminated based on caste, 60 felt being not respected while 78 complained of interference in resolutions. Besides, 79 presidents complained they were not allowed to exercise their duties. More than 11 complained they are not allowed inside offices, and 23 said they are forced to sign on panchayat documents. Twelve panchayat presidents said they are not allowed to hoist national flag and 30 said they are denied information about panchayat schemes.
Most of the time, vice-presidents and members from dominant castes are the oppressors, Kathir said. Women panchayat leaders face caste and patriarchal discrimination. Most of the panchayat leaders acknowledged that they are not able to carry out their works, and live in constant fear of assault. Kathir demanded a white paper from the government on caste discrimination on dalit panchayat presidents. Government should pay the panchayat presidents a monthly salary of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 as pension. There should be state nodal officer to take care of reserved panchayats and the district collector and SP should be intimated about the amendment in SC/ST act that empowers them to take action on anyone preventing the Dalit panchayat presidents from taking out their duties.
Courtesy : TOI
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