Dalits Media Watch
News Updates 28.11.11
Dalit couple found murdered - IBN Live
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/dalit-couple-found-murdered/915918.html
Plea to hike stipend of SC/ST students - IBN Live
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/plea-to-hike-stipend-of-scst-students/205991-60-123.html
Trade unions against SC/ST interests - IBN Live
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/trade-unions-against-scst-interests/205920-60-119.html
Dalits, backwards must unite toensure BSP's win, says Maya - The Times Of India
Plan commission pushes for Dalit empowerment - Hindustan Times
"Case against Dalit leader should not disturb peace" - The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article2655637.ece
IBN Live
Dalit couple found murdered
http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/dalit-couple-found-murdered/915918.html
PTI | 01:11 AM,Nov 26,2011
Saharanpur (UP), Nov 25 (PTI) The bodies of a young couple bearing bullet injuries were found from a field in Rampur area of the district today, police said. Sanjiv and Rekha, both from dalit community and natives of Amarpur village, were found murdered in the field, Superintendent of Police Ajay Shanker Rai said. A country-made revolver and some bullets were also found from the spot, Rai said, adding that the police were probing the matter.
IBN Live
Plea to hike stipend of SC/ST students
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/plea-to-hike-stipend-of-scst-students/205991-60-123.html
Thiruvananthapuram | Posted on Nov 26, 2011 at 10:54am IST
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The leaders of Sidhanar Service Society here on Friday said that the State Government should increase the stipend and lumpsum grant of SC/ST students according to the human development index.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday to announce the valediction of the diamond jubilee conference of the society held in the city, Bhargavi Thankappan, the chief patron of the society, also urged the State Government to approve the emergency petitions listed
in the memorandum filed before the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
The emergency petitions included bringing forward a comprehensive land reform by providing a hectare of cultivation land to landless families belonging to Scheduled Castes, raising the farmer's pension to Rs 2,500 and amending the legislation to provide reservation for
SC/ST candidates for jobs in private sector.
The general secretary of the society A K Thankappan, state secretary Rajamohan and assistant secretary K M Sivasankaran also attended the press conference.
IBN Live
Trade unions against SC/ST interests
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/trade-unions-against-scst-interests/205920-60-119.html
Bangalore | Posted on Nov 26, 2011 at 10:02am IST
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
BANGALORE: The All India SC/ST Railway Employees Association, Bangalore Division of South Western Railway, has a new Division Executive Committee office. The office is located in M G Railway Colony.
Speaking on the occasion, B L Bairwa, national president of the Association, said the new office was a stepping stone for SC/ST employees to look at pending issues.
Calling trade unions 'anti-SC/ST', he said, "I want to highlight some of the issues that the Association members are facing. Firstly, we have to be treated on par with other trade unions. While they have many platforms to engage, we are given only one informal meeting. The Association has demanded for a quarterly meeting," he said adding that a memorandum was submitted to the Ministry of Railways in this regard.
He further urged SC/ST employees to withdraw support to trade unions, as they were 'anti-reservation'. "Unions use our money to work against us. They have opposed the reservation bill. I urge all workers to stop supporting these unions."
Bairwa stressed on the constitutional guarantee of protection for the backward classes, stating that chargesheeting and transfers of members had to stop.
"Our office-bearers are harassed. Every time they lodge a complaint, they are transferred. This has to stop. Also, special casual leave and passes have to be given to us," he said.
Bairwa added that Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi had expressed interest to work on these issues.
M Shivanna, member of National Commission for Scheduled Castes, speaking on the occasion said, "Since I belong here, I wanted to hold a review meeting in my city. I will look at these issues in the meeting. I assure you that the Commission has the power to suspend the
officers who are guilty of harassing members of the SC/ST association," he said.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Sudhanshu Mani, who granted space for the new office, said it was important for any association to have an office.
"The Association's attitude has always been positive. I welcome them to bring any problems to my notice. I assure them my full support and would help if need arrives," Mani said.
The Times Of India
Dalits, backwards must unite toensure BSP's win, says Maya
Ashish Tripathi, TNN | Nov 28, 2011, 02.09AM IST
LUCKNOW: Recognising caste realities in UP politics, chief minister and BSP chief Mayawati on Sunday sounded the election bugle, exhorting Dalits and backwards to bury differences and join hands to bring the party back to power in 2012. She denied allegation of promoting her family and accused rivals of harbouring anti-dalit mindset.
"Even if you (Dalit and backwards) don't want to have 'roti our beti ka rishta' but the master key to socio-economic and political empowerment is political power, which can be grabbed only when Dalits and backward are united," said Mayawati while addressing a gathering of over two lakhs at a Dalit-backward convention. The message was loud and clear: though Dalits and backwards don't have social ties when it comes to sharing food, or having matrimonial ties, they must unite to vote BSP to power and ensure their uplift.
Quoting Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, Mayawati said that the socio-economic status of Dalits and backwards, who have been suppressed for ages, is almost the same in the entire country. "It is because of the Constitutional provisions made by Babasaheb, Dalits and backwards are getting reservation benefit," the BSP chief said.
Significantly, at Brahmin convention on November 13, Maya had tried to cash in on age-old rivalry between Brahmins and Thakurs by claiming that Congress and BJP would make a Thakur chief minister if voted to power, whereas now she wants Dalits and backwards to forget rivalry inherited from ancestors and remain united.
Keeping caste equations in mind, Maya said that the focus of her government has been on Dalits and backwards. "I have asked Centre for scheduled caste status to 13 backward classes including Kewat, Kahar, Kashyap, Mallah, Nishad, Lonia, Kumhar, Dheevar, Bind, Machhiara, Lohia-Chauhan, Nonia and Dhangar," she said.
The BSP chief even went on to say that for development of Dalits and backwards, it is necessary for UP to have a Dalit or a backward as chief minister (CM). Hinting that in case she moves to Centre, a Dalit or a backward will get chief ministership, she also assured that if UP is divided into four states, the CM post will be got to Dalits and backwards.
A combination of Dalits, backwards, Muslims and Brahmins helped BSP grab power with absolute majority in 2007. Dalits constitute 21% of UP's population, backward are about 29%, Muslim 20%, Brahmins 12%, Thakurs 8% and other castes 10%. Among backward classes, most backward such as Nishad, Rajbhar etc constitute 60%.
Out of 403 assembly seats in UP, Dalits play crucial role in 35% seats, backwards in 30%, Muslims in 15% and upper castes in 20%. Post-Mandal, the SP used to get lion's share of backward votes but Yadav dominance has gradually alienated non-Yadav backwards from the party. Mayawati has grabbed these non-Yadavs backwards.
Maya also said "Election can take place in UP anytime and I want BSP workers to pull up their socks." Claiming that Congress, BJP and SP have entered into tacit understanding, she claimed that these parties might bring Dalit and backward face to woo voters in elections but real power will be in the hands of anti-dalit forces.
The BSP chief also assured that she would distribute tickets for assembly elections keeping in mind the contribution of various castes and classes in building BSP movement. She announced that on December 18, BSP would hold a convention for Muslims, Thakur and Vaishya communities.
Training her guns at opposition parties, Maya described the previous Samajwadi Party rule in UP as 'Goonda raj' and BJP rule as 'communal'. She said that SP and BJP survived on polarization of votes on communal and caste lines. However, the better part of her speech was devoted to Congress-bashing and highlighting work done by her government.
Maya rebutted allegations of corruption in implementation of MNREGA but also recognized the importance of the scheme for the poor. She said that she has taken action wherever anomalies in MNREGA were reported. She also added that the MNREGA is not Congress's property as it was passed with the support of all the parties.
Further, while exhibiting her prime ministerial ambitions again, UP chief minister said that whenever BSP would form the government at the Centre, it would amend the MNREGA to provide employment round-the-year and not 100 days as per the existing provisions. "100 days employment in a year is not enough for poor," she added.
Mayawati also accused Congress leaders of misleading people on the MNREGA issue. "Instead of releasing the funds for MNREGA twice a year - April and September - as per the rules, the Centre gives fund to UP at the end of financial year, making it difficult for the state government to implement the scheme," she claimed, accusing the Central government of giving more funds to Congress-ruled states.
Scoffing at Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's promise that if voted to power, Congress would transform UP into a developed state in 10 years, the BSP chief said that the Congress ruled UP for over 40 years after independence but did little for the state, resulting in large-scale migration of people to other states for livelihood.
"The migrants are today being ill-treated and exploited, particularly in Congress-ruled states. And, Congress's 'yuvraj' ( Rahul Gandhi) calls them beggar, which is an insult to entire UP," she said. Denying Rahul's allegations of being casetist, she pointed out that she had asked for quota benefit for poor among upper castes and Muslims.
Responding to Rahul's remark "An elephant (BSP's election symbol) is eating money sent by Centre for UP's development", Maya retorted that the "Congress is having nightmares of elephant trampling all over them. The panic in Congress can be gauged from the fact that Rahul skipped Parliament session for touring UP."
Reacting to allegations that she had been promoting her family, Mayawati said that inspired by her mentor, BSP founder Kanshiram, she has taken pledge not to marry and serve the people. "My association with my parents and family will end the day they will ask ticket to contest election or seek ministership," she said.
Accusing UPA government of misusing the CBI, Maya said that the agency has been pursuing 'fabricated" disproportionate assets case against her but has done little in foodgrain scam under SP rule. "National Commissions have been hyperactive in UP, overlooking atrocities on Dalits and women in Congress-ruled states," she said.
Justifying her move to split UP, Maya said "The ball is now in Centre's court." She also said that she has taken action against her party leaders caught in corruption and criminal cases, whereas Congress and BJP have been reluctant in doing so in the states ruled by them.
Hindustan Times
Plan commission pushes for Dalit empowerment
Prasad Nichenametla, Hindustan Times
National Bank for Inclusive Development to support businessmen from the backward sections.
The move is to encourage Dalits and other weaker sections with entrepreneurial skills to realise their business potential rather than depend on reservations or other government doles.
The initiative will come at a price tag of Rs 2,000 crore, proposed as a share capital from the government. The 12th plan working group mentioned no upper limit, but loans could be up to or more than Rs 1 crore.
The government might act a guarantor for such loans to build medium to large-scale enterprises - an area where Dalits foothold is said to be minimal.
The panel also recommended financial assistance to one lakh SC youth for acquiring land/ built up space to set up industries etc.
The move would mark advancement from the present support to Dalits limited to setting up of small businesses like a retail store or self-help avenues like sheep or sewing machines.
It is also based on reports that flow of credit to SCs through banks is not commensurate with their population and requirement.
There are an estimated 19.5 crore SCs in the country forming over 16% of total population. At present, the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation established two decades back, provides loans for income activities but is limited to SCs living below double the poverty line.
"Development paradigm from 12th plan should be such that the SCs do not remain passive recipients of schemes … the goal is to empower SCs to participate in society and nation building on an equal basis with others," the group headed by secretary, ministry of social justice and empowerment with other department and state secretaries said.
The report setting the road map for SC empowerment in next five years, also recommended that all surplus government land be allotted to landless among the SC, STs and other priority groups.
The Hindu
"Case against Dalit leader should not disturb peace"
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/article2655637.ece
Mohamed Imranullah S.
The Madras High Court Bench here on Wednesday asked Additional Advocate General (AAG) K. Chellapandian to come out with a solution, in consultation with the Ramanathapuram Collector and the Superintendent of Police, to curb flaring up of emotions pursuant to registration of a criminal case against a Dalit leader on charges of promoting enmity between two caste groups.
Dealing with a writ petition filed by P. Chandra Bose, general secretary of Thyagi Immanuel Peravai, to quash the First Information Report, Mr. Justice V. Ramasubramanian said that his endeavour was to ensure that the registration of the case following a public meeting at Paramakudi on November 5 should not snowball into a controversy and disturb tranquillity across the State.
The public meeting was organised to condemn the police firing, which led to the death of six Dalits at Paramakudi on September 11.
Stating that courts have to deal such issues with caution, the Judge said: "My only concern is where to put an end to this. Nowadays, courts have a greater responsibility. If it had been any other writ petition, I would have thrown it out. But this case is different."
Earlier, the AAG contended that the speech given by the petitioner in the public meeting squarely attracted Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race and so on and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) of the Indian Penal Code. However, petitioner's counsel P. Rathinam said that the speech was nothing but the cry of the hapless Dalits.
When counsel referred to historic incidents related to atrocities committed against Dalits, the judge intervened and said that Mahatma Gandhi had the ability to bring about peace even in the worst of communal disturbances. "Unfortunately, we do not have someone like him. Today, nobody wants to be a Mahatma Gandhi as they do not want to be shot dead."
He recalled that Mahatma Gandhi had written to his friend on January 25, 1948, just five days before his assassination, stating he would prefer to die chanting the name of Lord Ram if he happened to be shot dead in an attempt to bring about communal harmony. "It is amazing that he died in the same manner within five days of writing that letter," Mr. Justice Ramasubramanian said.
--
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
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Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.
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