[Redditolavoro] atrocità del governo indiano nello stato di Orissa -stop the Ongoing Brutal Atrocities/ Crimes against Dalit Communities in Odisha

[procomta]

Memorandum of Demands Seeking Chief Minister’s Immediate Intervention to 
stop the Ongoing Brutal Atrocities/ Crimes against Dalit Communities in 
Odisha



Dear All,
Today, there will be a demonstration in Bhubaneswar to seeking Chief 
Minister’s Immediate Intervention to stop the Ongoing Brutal Atrocities/ 
Crimes against Dalit Communities in Odisha. In this occasion this memorandum 
would be submitted to Chief Minister of Odisha.

A Memorandum of Demands Seeking Chief Minister’s Immediate Intervention to 
stop the Ongoing Brutal Atrocities/ Crimes against Dalit Communities in 
Odisha


To, Date: 22/03/2012
Mr. Navin Patnaik,
The Honourable Chief Minister Place: Bhubaneswar
Orissa, Bhubaneswar

Respected Sir,
We the undersigned victim of human rights violation, representatives of 
various mass organisations, Non-Governmental Agencies, Community Based 
Organisations, Human Rights Activists, journalists and citizens belonging to 
the marginalised communities drawing your attention to the ongoing 
atrocities against Dalit Communities in Odisha. We are subjected to all 
forms of corrupt practices that include discrimination, humiliation, 
exclusion and denial of access to rights, entitlements and human dignity. We 
stand here because we are beaten and humiliated by the Mass Education 
Minister Mr. Pratap Jena. We are here because we are implicated in false 
cases without committing any crime. We stand here because our daughters are 
molested and denied justice in your regime. We stand here because the police 
is acting on the behest of the powerful and refusing to accept our 
complaints. We stand here because it is clear to us that the upper caste do 
not want to give us
 any space in the society or anywhere in the state and the politicians have 
decided to be the partners of the upper caste.

The present system of governance of the state has made us vulnerable and 
become insensitive to our agony and sufferings, though the wealth of the 
state was built on the theft of our land and from our work in the farms, 
mines, factories, kitchens and laundries of the rich. We cannot and will not 
continue to suffer the way that we do. We cannot and will not allow our 
voices to be stifled. The time has come for the Dalit to be heard. The time 
for politicians to talk for and about the Dalit while they make deals with 
the upper caste is over. The time has come for politicians to talk to the 
Dalit and to talk to the marginalised openly and honestly and respectfully 
so that we can, together, ensure that there is a place for everyone in this 
society and in this state.

The life of the Dalits is increasingly vulnerable in the state due to a 
persistent lack of assured entitlements to augment their existing resource 
base. Land alienation has deprived them of their land; forest legislation 
has turned them into encroachers on land they have always used; and they 
have also been disproportionately affected by displacement due to mining 
operations, irrigation projects, wildlife sanctuaries, etc. It seems that 
the Govt of Orissa is pursuing an agenda of ‘Hidden Apartheid of 
discrimination against Dalits in its policies and programs. The recent 
incidents of the "objectionable" behaviour of Mass Education Minister, Mr. 
Pratap Jena towards Dalit youth at Katarpada of Nischintakoili block in 
Cuttack district and the ongoing atrocities against Dalit communities in 
Katarapa village and the negligence of the duty-bearers have shown the 
lackadaisical attitudes of state machinery for Dalit communities.

Orissa remained a highly vulnerable State with high incidence of atrocities 
against the Dalits and religious minorities. Over the last few years, we 
have witnessed a continued use of force and suppression of the rights of the 
Dalit communities in Orissa. We are horrified and appalled by these inhuman 
incidents. We are particularly concerned at the frequent involvement of the 
duty-bearer in heinous against Dalits in clandestine with people 
representatives. We want you to intervene and ensure that justice is served 
to those who have been constantly ignored.
Brief detail of some of the recent atrocities:
1. Mass Education Minister, Mr. Pratap Jena beat Dalit youth at Katarpada of 
Nischintakoili Block in Cuttack district.
Caste atrocity and Caste abuse at Katarpada of Nischintakoili Block in 
Cuttack district has once again shown the ugly face of BJD ruled Government 
in Orissa. Mass Education Minister, Mr. Pratap Jena who is representing 
Mahanga constituency grossly flouted the model code of conduct during the 
election campaign for his party supported candidates. He even violated the 
Constitution of India by assaulting the Dalits during his tour to his 
constituency. It can be mentioned her that the Constitution of India 
providers special safeguards for the social, educational and economic 
advancement of Scheduled Castes. And a Minister who is holding an office of 
dignity is expected to respect this basic principle of the Indian 
constitution first by respecting the Dalit communities. But it is a matter 
of fact the mass education minister himself is aiding and abetting such 
heinous crime against Dalit in broad daylight. Mr Jena himself involved in 
the incident of assault
 against Dalit communities along with his upper caste supporters. This 
heinous nature of incident is an inauspicious signal for a nation ruled with 
the polity and praxis of democracy.

While campaigning for his supported candidates, Mr Jena accompanied ZP 
candidate Rekha Rani Samantray in a workers’ rally to Katarpada Gram 
Panchayat of Nischintakoili Block on 6th February, 2012. On the way to their 
workers rally dominantly led by higher caste people, Mr. Dibakar Samal who 
belongs to Scheduled Caste category along with some locals attempted to 
welcome the honourable Mass Education Minister Mr. Mr. Pratap Jena with 
flower garland. Having been seen this, Mr. Ashok Mohanty, Brajendra Swain 
and Sushanta Nayak who are from the local upper caste category also 
escorting the Minister prevented Dibakar Samal from garlanding Minister. 
Three of them even beat him ruthlessly with their footwear. They even 
threatened him for life and used caste abuses saying ‘‘Magia Pana ku 
Jibanaru Maridia’’ (finish the Mother Fucker Pana-). While disappointed with 
the humiliation and merciless beating, Mr. Ishwar Samal was trying to pacify 
these
 miscreants suddenly Mr Pratap Jena dragged Mr. Dibkar Samal in an in human 
way and started beating him cruelly saying ‘‘Magia PanaTumaku chuile chua’’ 
(You untouchable rubbish mother fucker how dare you to touch us and welcome 
us). In this brutal incident both Dibakar Samala and Ishwar Samal were 
grievously injured and undergoing a treatment in Nischintakoili Primary 
Health Centre.

Though a case has been registered in the local police station, no action has 
been taken so far against the minister and his co-culprits. And the 
concerned Dalits communities were threatened to be killed and their village 
Katarpada would be set on fire, if they dare to complain the higher 
authority about the incident for justice.
2. Tukuna Sethi Was Arrested without committing any Crime and the Intention 
of the Arrest is to Disturb His Daughter’s Matriculation Exam
Mr Tukuna Sethi aged 37 is from Katarapara village that runs his family from 
his daily wage. In addition to this he also earns some additional livelihood 
working as a tube-well repairing mechanic. On 17th March Mr. Tukuna went to 
repair a tube-well of his neighbour just a kilometre from his home. While 
repairing the tube-well he heard a noise from the road where people were 
negotiation with a contractor for quality construction of the road. And the 
road which was prepared by the same contractor was damaged within a few days 
of the completion of the work. And this time they were asking the contractor 
to pay attend to this work. Having heard this noise, Mr Tukuna went to the 
site where the noise was taking place and he was just standing there. Then 
police came and some higher caste people who were present there instructed 
the police to nab Mr. Tukuna Sethi. Then Mr. Tukuna was arrested taken to 
the police station though the mob present there informed
 the police about Tukuna’s innocence. Sources said that Mr. Tukuna was kept 
in the Police custody (Hajat) for 3 days and tortured by the police, and 
then sent to court. As he was falsely implicated under section 506 of the 
Indian Penal Code, Mr Tukuna was not given bail and now he is inside the 
jail without committing any crime. This all happened with the clean and 
clear guidance of the people who are in power.
Tukuna is completely is innocent and he has a daughter who is appearing for 
ongoing matriculation exam. Sources said that this was done intentionally to 
disturb his daughter not to appear in the board exam. And it is also a fact 
that in general the upper caste community are against the social mobility of 
Dalit communities specifically education of a Dalit girl child.
3. A low-caste Dalit Boy studying in Standard one was killed in a Road 
Accident at Duliamba in Koraput district.
In a brutal accident Kedar Halua, a 10 years boy studying in standard one 
was brutally killed in Lulipada village. And false cases have been 
registered against Dalit communities when they demanded the arrest of the 
person who is responsible for the accident. The concerned villagers are 
terrified and threatened dare consequences.
In the above narrated cases, the victims are harassed and shabbily treated 
by the public Institutions including police, ministers (Mass Education 
minister) and these are taking place due to sheer callous attitude of the 
police. Though all the cases attract the provision of SC and ST Prevention 
of Atrocities Act 1989 and Rules 1999 but no initiatives has been taken by 
the Government and responsible departments. .
In view of the alarming rise of violence and the ongoing discrimination, 
harassment, atrocities against Dalits in Orissa, we appeal you to intervene 
immediately and take appropriate action to eliminate ongoing discrimination 
and violence against Dalit community for not only the interest of the nation 
but for the respect of humanity.

We appreciate you for your proactive action against Mr. Damodar Rout in 
connection with an anti-Dalit remark case and compelling the former 
agriculture Minister Mr. Pradeep Maharathy to resign from your ministry of 
protecting the culprits in a gang rape case on November 28 last year near 
Arjunagoda. We the Dalit Rights activists appeal you to take the following 
actions for the redressal of justice to the most vulnerable people of state.
1. We also demand immediate dismissal of Mass Education Minister Mr Pratap 
Jena who is abetting, aiding and involving himself with such blatant assault 
against Dalit communities and perpetuating discrimination and caste feeling 
in society while remaining in public office
2. We experience clearly that law alone cannot eradicate those forms of 
atrocities that dehumanise, discriminate and enslave Dalits in society. 
Therefore we appeal you to develop an appropriate mechanism to challenge and 
change those systems and structures that promote, justify and perpetuate 
discrimination, especially caste-based discrimination and atrocities against 
Dalits. On the other hand, values such as social equity and equality should 
be promoted, strengthened and safeguarded by initiating massive campaign and 
awareness
3. There are ample evidences and instances to assert that Dalits are often 
made victims of false implications due to their social and political 
vulnerability and caste prejudices and perversion. Hence it is imperative 
that there should be adequate legal and other safeguards to protect the 
interests and sovereignty of Dalits in Odisha. And all false cases against 
the Dalit communities in Katarapada and Duliamba of Koraput district should 
be withdrawn immediately.
4. We appeal strict implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes 
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 in order to prevent atrocities against 
Scheduled castes.
5. To inflict punishment on all those perpetrators, police and others 
directly or indirectly related to the above narrated cases for their 
criminal negligence in dealing with the matter without care, sympathy and 
blatantly violating all protective laws for the Scheduled Castes.
6. We also demand an immediate stop against all forms of atrocities against 
Dalit communities in Odisha.
7. We appeal you to direct police to maintain peace in Katarapada of 
Nischintakoili block and take appropriate action for restoring dignity of 
the Dalit communities in the areas.
We request you to consider these matters as most urgent and take appropriate 
action. This will instil faith among the ordinary people, especially the 
weaker sections of our society on the provisions of our protective laws 
mandated by the Constitution. Further, this will protect them from the 
oppressive dominant socio-economic system. We are herewith submitting this 
memorandum for promotion of justice, equity and protection of human rights 
in society.
Thank you for considering our recommendations and demands. We would 
appreciate learning about any steps that you take in this regard.
Sincerely yours
1. Mr Ashok Mallick (Dalit Rights Activist)





Mr. Sukanta Chandra Behera
Program Facilitator- Policy Analysis & Research
Synodical Board of Social Service
Bhubaneswar,Orissa, India
Phone No:-+91-9861590659


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