A case under the SC / ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered against a panchayat vice president in Cuddalore of Tamil Nadu after the president, a member of the Programmed Caste community, accused him of forcing her to sit on the ground during meetings.
Police are on the lookout for Vice President Mohan Raj, while suspended panchayat secretary Sinduja and ward member R Sugumar have been arrested, a senior police official said, adding that the latter has been detained for crimes, including intimidation.
In viral footage, Rajeshwari S, the Dalit president of the panchayat Therku Thittai, can be seen sitting on the ground, while five other members are sitting on chairs. The images sparked outrage that prompted authorities to act. Rajeshwari accused members of the panchayat, who belong to the Vanniyar community, of harassment and discrimination based on caste.
“Mohan Rajan, the vice president, asked me to sit on the floor during the panchayat board meetings, because I am Dalit and they are Vanniyars. I was not allowed to fly the flag and was told that I had no right to do so. I was also threatened by Rajan when I tried to oppose the treatment they gave me, ”she said.
Meanwhile, denying the discrimination allegations, Rajan told News18 that it was “Rajeshwari’s own decision to sit on the floor.”
However, another member of the ward, under conditions of anonymity, confirmed that the president was forced to sit on the floor because she was a Dalit.
District collector Chandra Sekhar Sakhamuri and Police Superintendent M Sree Abhinav went to the village, located near the temple town of Chidambaram, and carried out an investigation on Saturday. The police officer said that Rajeswari named the panchayat vice president and secretary in his complaint and that a case has been filed against the duo under the SC / ST Atrocities Prevention Act for crimes, including humiliation and obstructing their official work. .
Soon after, the district collector suspended the panchayat secretary for failing to inform officials about the matter and also issued a notice of demonstrative cause to board members, including the vice president.
“We will take a statement from her, we will investigate and appropriate action will be taken,” Abhinav told reporters. To a question, he said there would be no threat to his life, adding that adequate police personnel have been deployed to the village.
“Other members of the ward have also realized what went wrong,” he said. The collector said that four meetings have been held so far in the panchayat office, adding that some members of the neighborhood claimed that he did so voluntarily.
“The investigation is continuing, based on your complaint. Strict action will be taken under the law against those involved,” he said, adding that the photo was clicked on July 17, 2020, based on the date shown in that image. A demonstration cause notice was issued to Mohan under the provision of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, which governs the removal of the vice president and appropriate action will be taken, he said.
Action will be taken against the defendants as the investigation progresses, district officials said.
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said it was “barbaric” and promised tough measures under the law. The AIADMK government has always given due respect and recognition to marginalized people, including registered castes and tribes, he said.
MDMK Secretary General Vaiko said such humiliation was outrageous, while DMK MP Kanimozhi said it was strongly reprehensible and leaders demanded tough action. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Thol Thirumavalavan demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in obstructing the official work of the panchayat president.
Not only Theruku Thittai, the scenario was the same in several other villages, the VCK leader claimed and urged the government to review the situation and take appropriate corrective measures. Meanwhile, cadres from the VCK and the left gathered in front of the Buvanagiri police station in the district, demanding the arrest of the vice president and the secretary.
(With input from Prasanna Venkatesan and agencies)
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