PUDUCHERRY: Following a representation from Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Ramdas Athawale, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take action to protect people belonging to Scheduled Castes during the election time to render social and political justice to Dalits.
The Commission also requested the police chief to take steps to rename the PCR cell as SC/ST Atrocities Cell.
In its directive, the Commission noted that the representation of Ramdas Athawale pointed out that the Scheduled Castes living in villages and reserved constituencies are under frequent attack and atrocities are perpetrated by caste Hindus during election time.
The Commission asked the police chief and the department to look into issue raised and urged to take appropriate action to protect the Scheduled castes. The commission sought a replay along with action taken to be furnished within a fortnight.
In his petition, Athawale said Dalits and SCs living in villages such as reserve constituencies such as Bahour reserve Assembly constituency and areas of Embalam, Nettapakkam, Thirubhuvanai in Puducherry region and Nedungadu of Karaikal of the Union Territory are under frequent attack and atrocities being committed by the caste Hindus.
“This is more so during election times in order to prevent the Dalits from exercising their Franchise freely without any fear. As they are voiceless, they become victims of money and muscle power of ruling and other political parties.”
Charging that the “ruling and opposition parties are likely to cause danger to the Dalit Candidates, voters and alleging that the police force will be misused, Athawale sought more police protection in the reserve and general constituencies.
In his petition to the Commission, the Rajya Sabha MP further charged that SC/ST cases are not registered in local police stations and the Dalit victims are made to run from pillar to post.
Athawale further, alleging that the free house plots were not distributed to the needy SCs by the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department, demanded proper enquiry should be conducted into the distribution.