SC/ST Act: KrishnasamyNew Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) Puthiya Tamilagam leader KKrishnasamy today said to reduce animosity with othercommunities, he would advise members of his community --Devendrakula Vellalar -- not to lodge complaints under the SCand ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Speaking to PTI, Krishnasamy also claimed that members ofhis community did not belong to the scheduled castes categoryaccording to historical evidences.
"I will advise members of my community to file complaintsunder the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and not under the ScheduledCastes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of1989," he said, adding that doing so would reduce animositywith other communities.
Puthiya Tamilagam, a party representing dalits andPallars in south Tamil Nadu, along with members of theDevendrakula Vellalar community yesterday took out a 'PrideMarch' here.
They demanded that the Centre exclude their communityfrom the schedule caste category and include them under otherbackward classes.
Krishnasamy alleged that the reservation policy in TamilNadu was not fully implemented and there was discrimination asmembers from the community were being given "menial" jobs.
"We are not given the opportunity to take up Group I, IIand III jobs in the government, but ample opportunities aregiven for menial jobs and Grade IV jobs," he said.
They also demanded a common name -- Devendrakula Vellalar-- for all their seven sub-castes -- Pallar, Kudumbar,Pannadi, Kaalaadi, Kadayar, Devendrakulatar and Vadhiriyaar --based in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. PTI CPBANB.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.