MYSORE: National SC/ST Commission member Shivanna urged the Union government to bring amendments to try cases of atrocities against Dalits in special courts across the country. He said trying atrocity cases in special and fast track courts would ensure justice to the victims.
Expressing shock over the increase in atrocity cases on Dalits in Mandya district over the last one year, he said the accused in three cases, were convicted in more than 40 cases. In many cases, Dalits who depend on upper caste people for a livelihood, do not dare to give statement as witnesses, he said.
“No Dalit has come forward to narrate or give statements in the honour killing that took place at Ambalavadi village in Mandya recently. However, the situation of Dalits is worse in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other northern states,” he added.
He said Home Minister R Ashok, who termed Suvarna’s death a suicide, changed his version after the visit of the SC Commission which held talks with the district administration and police officials. “The Commission has also written to the Home Minister, Home Secretary and DGP and sought clarification as they had made different statements on the honour killing case,” he said. He also asked the government to ban ‘Made Made Snana.’