PONDICHERRY

CPI(M) Organises Campaign On Dalit Rights

                           V Perumal

A WEEK long campaign for dalit rights and their liberation from oppressed living was successfully carried out in Pondicherry under the aegis of the CPI(M) state committee. This campaign culminated in a vibrant conference on "Ending Untouchability - And Dalits Livelihood" at Singaravelu Thidal of Pondicherry on July 9, 2005.

As part of the campaign, street corner meetings were held at 75 centres, touching all communities in Pondicherry and Karaikal. There was huge response, particularly among dalits, to the cultural programmes performed by troupes at these meetings. The campaign impressed upon the need for proper implementation of the welfare measures in force for SC/ST people even while underlining the fact that implementation of land reforms would be the central solution for all problems being faced by dalits. The limited relief being provided for dalits in the form of reservations is also under attack and it needs to be resisted. The heinous crimes against dalits – untouchability, denial of human rights and participatory rights for dalits in common properties of villages etc – were also highlighted in the campaign by the CPI(M). The initiatives taken by the Left Front governments in Bengal, Tripura and Kerala for the upliftment of dalits was propagated in the campaign. The participation of dalits in the campaign meetings was large as the local area problems of dalits were also taken up in the campaign. Many dalits shared their sufferings in the meetings and they were receptive to the campaign theme. The intention of the campaign seemed to have been realised by such huge participation.

This forceful campaign was preceded by a well-structured village-wise survey on the living conditions of dalits. The survey was also conducted in the government sector, industrial units, SC/ST hostels etc, making it wholesome.

The findings of the survey revealed the shocking reality of dalit oppression in the union territory, which shattered and slapped the popular belief that untouchability is nowhere to be seen in Pondicherry, crowned as a window of French culture.

The conference at Singaravelu Thidal was well attended, with people from all parts of the union territory turning up. In fact, members of various dalit organisations also participated in the conference, which was presided by V Perumal, secretary of the CPI(M) Pondicherry district committee.

Delivering the inaugural speech, P Selvasingh, CPI(M) Tamilnadu state secretariat member condemned the insensitivity of ruling classes towards dalits. He elaborated on the oppressed condition of dalits in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. The role of the CPI(M) and the Left parties in fighting against untouchability and oppression of dalits was highlighted by the speaker.

G Ramaswamy, CPI(M) district secretariat member and convenor of Party sub-committee on dalits, presented to the conference the consolidated report of the survey carried out by the Party on the living conditions of dalits in Pondicherry. The report highlighted the fact that untouchability prevails in almost all the 273 villages in the union territory. In conclusion, he placed before the gathering the demands chalked out by the Pary on the basis of the survey. Among the demands included extending reservation to 18 per cent of dalit population, proper implementation of Prevention of Atrocity Act of SC/ST people, empowering dalits through land reforms, official recognition of ST in the region etc.

Sambath, CPI(M) Tamilnadu state secretariat member and Mahendran, MLA in their speeches highlighted the root causes for the present state of dalits in the country, the historical perspective of caste roots, the forces mobilising dalits in separate platforms for narrow benefits and the need for dalits to be organised under the wider democratic movement.

N Varadharajan, CPI(M) Tamilnadu state secretary in his address gave an account of the measures taken by the Left Front governments in improving the living of dalits in West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala. He underlined that this has  proved beyond doubt that the Left stand and initiatives on dalit issues is the correct path. He condemned the bourgeoisie governments and bureaucrats pernicious attitude on dalits issues.

The conference adopted various resolutions, including one on land reforms and another on panchayat elections. Dalit cultural performances were staged in the conference, including a special play on the gruesome Venmani incident in which 44 dalits were burnt alive.

The campaign and the conference were successful due to the meticulous month-long efforts put in by the entire Party. The CPI(M) resolved to carry forward the struggle against dalit oppression and for winning the livelihood rights of dalits.