Latest News Update: Jan 27, 2012

Friday, January 27, 2012

[ZESTCaste] Another ambedkar statue disfigured in EG

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/another-ambedkar-statue-disfigured-in-eg/224681-60-114.html

Andhra Pradesh | Posted on Jan 27, 2012 at 12:07pm IST

Another ambedkar statue disfigured in EG
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express

HYDERABAD/RAJAHMUNDRY: Another statue of BR Ambedkar was attacked and
disfigured in east Godavari district, this time at Dowleswaram, near
here, on Wednesday night. The miscreants chopped off the face and
right hand of the statue� and threw it into a canal of Dowleswaram.

Reacting quickly, the government decided to send a group of ministers
on Friday to� Amalapuram and other areas where Ambedkar statues were
destroyed. Ministers D Manikya Vara Prasad, C Ramachandraiah, Thota
Narasimham, P Viswaroop and� deputy speaker Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
will visit the places in East Godavari to inquire into the� incidents.
The latest incident led to protests from Dalit organisations and�
political parties across the state on Thursday. A group of people
belonging to the SC community conducted� rasta rokos and dharnas.
Traffic came to a halt in Dowleswaram and also on the national�
highway for a distance of 10 km from the Vemagiri Junction. About 10
vehicles, including RTC buses, were� damaged by the agitators.

Rajahmundry Urban superintendent of police P Umpathi, DSP (south
zone)� Raja Gopal, and revenue� divisional officer M Venugopala Reddy
rushed to the spot to study the situation. Police� forces were
deployed in the area to prevent further trouble.

The Urban SP said special teams were formed to nab those who damaged�
the statue. The RDO said the government would take stern action
against the� miscreants and urged the public to maintain peace. When
contacted, DIG (Eluru Range) G Suryaprakasa Rao said steps were taken
to prevent further trouble in Dowleswaram.

On Sunday� night, four statues of Ambedkar were demolished in
Amalapuram, which created an uproar across� the state.

A police team, under the supervision of additional DGP Krishnam Raju,
is� speeding up the investigation into the Amalapuram incidents. The�
investigation is likely to be completed in two days. It is learnt
that� police took some suspects into custody for questioning.
Additioanal director-general of police Krishnam Raju, IG (Visakha
Range) KV Rajendranadh Reddy, East Godavari SP C Trivikrama Varma are
still camping in Amalapuram.

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[ZESTCaste] Dalits observe Black Day

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/dalits-observe-black-day/224698-60-114.html

Andhra Pradesh | Posted on Jan 27, 2012 at 12:18pm IST

Dalits observe Black Day
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express

TIRUPATI: Protesting the demolition of Ambedkar statues in the
Konaseema region, Dalit organisations observed the 63rd Republic day
as a black day by hoisting black flags at the Ambedkar statue, here on
Thursday.

A freedom fighter Chinna Swamy hoisted a black flag as the activists
of several Dalit organisations shouted slogans against the apathy of
the government in nabbing the culprits responsible for the desecration
of statues.

Speaking on the occasion, Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes Welfare
Association district president Paramasivan said it was shameful on the
part of the government which failed to nab the culprits responsible
for statues vandalisation in Amalapurm, celebrating the Republic Day.
The desecrations of Ambedkar's statues amply prove that Dalits are
still not treated on par with others in the society.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams SC, ST Employees Association president
M Prasad said that Dalits will not keep quiet if such incidents recur.

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[ZESTCaste] EGS to connect villages

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/nellore/egs-connect-villages-060

EGS to connect villages

January 26, 2012
By DC Correspondent
Nellore

All the rural areas in the state stand to gain from the rural
connectivity scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme in the state. The project is meant to provide all-weather
access to unconnected habitations in every district of the state.

All the rural areas in the state stand to gain from the rural
connectivity scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme in the state. The project is meant to provide all-weather
access to unconnected habitations in every district of the state.

The panchayat raj department and ITDA (for tribal habitations) have
been entrusted with the job of identifying the unconnected habitations
and also for the execution of road works. Priority will be given to
SC/ST habitations, other unconnected habitations and Indiramma housing
colonies under the scheme.

Project director of District Water Management Authority Yugandhar said
that rural areas of the SPSR Nellore district will benefit to a large
extent because of the scheme.

Speaking to this newspaper, he said that they have allotted Rs.26
crore to lay single layer metal roads to habitations that lack
connectivity in the first phase. According to Mr Yugandhar top
performing villages with respect to maximum utility of NREGS funds
will be selected in the first phase and thereafter the scheme will
cover all the villages without proper road access.

Another project for comprehensive development of SC/ST Colonies under
NREGS is also in the offing. The colonies will get cement roads with
drains besides individual sanitary latrines. The scheme will be
implemented in three gram panchayats in each mandal of Nellore
district and 138 panchayats (which have highest labour turnout during
2011-12) have been selected in the first phase.

Panchayat raj department will execute the works for which sanction was
accorded at an estimated cost of Rs.138 crore. At the state level,
3,294 SC/ST colonies are being developed at an estimated cost of
Rs.746.10 crore during the current financial year.

Mr Yugandhar said that all rules in vogue for EGS are applicable to
the scheme and the quality control checks will be carried out by
various agencies and the scheme is also comes under the purview of
social audit.

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[ZESTCaste] Tension over Ambedkar statue on BBMP land

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/222367/tension-over-ambedkar-statue-bbmp.html

Tension over Ambedkar statue on BBMP land
Bangalore, January 26 2012, DHNS:

Situation turned tense on Markham Road, behind Garuda Mall, on
Thursday afternoon, after a group of 25 persons said to be members of
Dr B R Ambedkar Welfare Association installed a statue of the Father
of the Constitution on a piece of land owned by the Bruhat Bangalore
Mahanagara Palike.

The jurisdictional police and the Palike officials rushed to the spot
and reviewed the situation.

Additional police force was deployed to ensure that no untoward
incident occurred in the area.

The BBMP owns a piece of land measuring 100X30 on Markham Road. As a
large number of dalits reside in the area, the BBMP had allocated a
small portion of the land for the construction of the Dr B R Ambedkar
Community Hall, nearly 15 years ago.

There was a growing demand to install Ambedkar's statue on the land,
granted for the construction of the Community Hall, among the dalits
residing in the area and members of Dr B R Ambedkar Welfare
Association. Every year, the office-bearers of the Association hoist
tri-colour there on Independence Day and Republic Day.

"Despite repeated pleas, the Palike did not take any step to construct
the Community Hall. Local politicians, goons and a few vested
interests are trying to grab the land allocated for the purpose," said
members of Dr B R Ambedkar Welfare Association. In addition to this,
owners of an apartment in the area have erected sheds on the land to
house their security guards. Dalit leaders who questioned this were
assaulted, Venkataswamy, State-unit president of Samata Sainik Dal
told Deccan Herald.

Permission

Office-bearers of the Association, who secured permission on January
24 to hoist the tri-colour on the Republic Day, put up a pandal on
Markham Road Friday.

In a move to pressure the Palike to construct the Community Hall, they
decided to install Ambedkar's statue, said Venkataswamy.

"The act of installing the statue should only be seen as a desperate
bid to save the land granted by the Palike. We refuse to shift the
statue till our long-standing demand is met," he added.

The atmosphere was tense after the installation of the statue around
11:30 am. The members hoisted the flag, held a public meeting and
later dispersed. The pandal too was removed soon after. However,
police were deployed to prevent any violence, said a police officer.

Senior Palike officials and the police convened an emergency meeting
with the dalit leaders and promised the construction of the Community
Hall at the earliest.

The BBMP had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh towards the construction of a
Primary Health Centre (PHC) on its land measuring 3,000 sqft. However,
even before the construction of the PHC, the land is being usurped by
anti-social elements, said a Palike official. "The issue was raised in
the BBMP Council meeting. Joint Commissioner (East) has been directed
to clear the encroachments soon," said local corporator Shivakumar.

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[ZESTCaste] Four ministers to probe statue row

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/four-ministers-probe-statue-row-313

Four ministers to probe statue row

January 27, 2012
DC
Hyderabad

Telangana Jagruti president Kavita being arrested when she was
demonstrating near Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund demanding B.R.
Ambedkar's statue to be installed in the state Assembly — DC
Telangana Jagruti president Kavita being arrested when she was
demonstrating near Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund demanding B.R.
Ambedkar's statue to be installed in the state Assembly — DC

A fact-finding team comprising four state ministers and the Deputy
Speaker of Assembly will visit Amalapuram in East Godavari district in
the wake of incidents of Ambedkar statues being desecrated in the
area.

During their tour of the area, ministers Mr Dokka Manikya Vara Prasad,
Mr Pinepe Viswaroop, Mr C. Ramachandraiah, Mr Thota Narasimham and
Deputy Speaker Mr Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka will interact with locals
and report back to Chief Minister Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy with their
findings.

Incidentally, PCC president Mr Botsa Satyan-arayana, had earlier
appointed a team of Congress leaders to look into all aspects of the
issue.

Talking to the media on Thursday, Mr Satyan-arayana said prima facie
he does not feel there is any link between desecration of Ambedkar
statues and the twin incidents of Amalapuram MP G.V. Harsha Kumar's
statement on SCs getting a raw deal and Kapus getting prominence in
the latest round of Cabinet expansion.

"I believe forces who want to create instability in general, and
(embarrass) the Congress government in the state in particular, are
behind the incidents of demolishing Ambedkar statues," he said. "Their
intention was to divide the society along caste lines and create
trouble across the state, but that did not happen."

The government, he said, will soon come out with a statement on those
responsible for the incidents.
Referring to Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu's
criticism of the Congress government, the PCC chief said Mr Naidu did
not command enough credibility among the people, so no one would
believe his "false promises and statements" on agriculture.

Responding to Mr Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's statement in Guntur over
arrest of his aide Mr Sunil Reddy, the PCC president said, "I fail to
understand what Jagan Mohan Reddy is saying to gain sympathy. If there
are any irregularities in the deals (involving Mr Sunil Reddy), facts
will come out soon. Where is the need to ask the CBI to shoot him
dead? Let Jagan reveal everything."

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[ZESTCaste] Democracy survives because of Constitution, says legislator

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/222350/democracy-survives-constitution-says-legislator.html

Democracy survives because of Constitution, says legislator
Mulbagal, January 26 2012, DHNS:

The Indian democracy has survived several obstacles and remains strong
thanks to a firm foundation laid by the Constitution, said legislator
Amaresh.

Presiding over the Republic Day programme in the town, he said the
Constitution has facilitated provisions for people belonging to
Backward Classes and SC/ST.

P Jayamadhava, tahsildar, said the Constitution has undergone
amendment 95 times. "There are, however, several more amendments
necessary in relation to various issues," he said.

In Bagepalli

Hundred per cent literacy is an important factor in establishing
equality and sovereignty of the people in the country, said N
Sampangi, legislator.

Speaking at the Republic Day celebrations on the Government Girls'
School campus, Sampangi called upon the people to remember the
contributions of leaders who strived to get Independence from British
rule.

"The leaders succeeded in freeing the nation from the grip of
foreigners. Today, however, providing police security and commandos
for a function like Republic Day has become a necessity," the
legislator rued.

Sampangi said Bagepalli and Gudibande taluks will be developed in
phases. Priority will be given to provision of education, drinking
water and better roads. Bagepalli town will be given an underground
drainage system and drinking water facility, he added.

T A Hanumantharaya, tahsildar, hoisted the flag. School children
presented cultural and other programmes under guidance of Nataraj,
taluk inspector of physical education.

In Shidlaghatta

The State government has failed in fulfilling its promise of providing
a secure and pro-people administration, accused legislator V
Muniyappa.

Speaking during the Republic Day celebrations at the Nehru Stadium on
Thursday, Muniyappa said the government should live up to the
expectations of the citizens.

He appreciated the fact that in spite of several internal conflicts
and problems of various kinds, India still had an important position
in World politics. He called upon the youth to become self-dependent
and unite to build a strong nation. "Stronger the democracy, stronger
the nation. We should ensure that every last person below the poverty
line gets all necessary facilities," he said.

Bheema Naik, tahsildar, said regardless of the development of India,
it is still considered a developing nation. "For this, we should all
work to rid the country of terrorism, pollution, economic disparity
and other problems and make India a powerful nation," he added.

Students of various schools presented guard of honour. There were also
cultural events by schoolchildren.

In Srinivaspur

M V Danaprakash, headmaster of the Sabarmati High School, called upon
the students to recognise the importance of the Indian Constitution
and remember not just to fight for one's rights, but also to fulfil
duties.

He spoke presiding over the Republic Day programme at the grounds of
the High School in Sugatur in the Srinivaspur legislative
constituency.

He also stressed on the importance of education in working for the
development of the nation.
P Balakrishnappa, teacher, said the Indian Constitution is one of the
best in the world. "It has been created in a way that helps the
development of all social classes. The far-sightedness of our older
generation is reflected in our Constitution," he said.

"Rights and duties are merely two sides of the same coin. It is only
when we balance them well can we maintain a peaceful society. Which is
why, we must recognise the contributions of the makers of the
Constitution," Balakrishnappa reminded.

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[ZESTCaste] UP Assembly elections: Ambedkar village scheme in UP has improved lives where work was done

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/up-elections-ambedkar-village-scheme-in-up-has-improved-lives-where-work-was-done/articleshow/11647405.cms

27 Jan, 2012, 11.07AM IST, Shailvee Sharda,TNN
UP Assembly elections: Ambedkar village scheme in UP has improved
lives where work was done

BARABANKI/SITAPUR: Unlike most villages where political discourse
revolves around caste and community, in Barabanki's Mohammadpur , an
Ambedkar village, they discuss development. "Vikas bada mudda hai is
baar," (Development is a big issue), said Dhaniram, a resident as he
pored over a local daily's election coverage. Had there been
development in his village? The 45-year-old replied "See for
yourself."

When she implemented the Ambedkar village scheme in 1995, UP CM
Mayawati was accused of focusing too much on dalits. Today, UP has
over 19,000 Ambedkar villages. Though very few villages have changed,
lives have improved where work has been done.

Mohammadpur can be termed a model village with Ambedkar village
status. It has concrete link roads connected with brick by-lanes and
houses built under the state government-run Indira Awas Yojana. Most
households have toilets and uninterrupted power supply. The village
has primary schools, a Panchayat bhavan and India Mark-II hand pumps.

The idea of Ambedkar villages was conceived in 1991 to bring dalits
into the mainstream . With an average spend of Rs 3.5 crore per
village, the focus was on infrastructure and social parameters
including pensions for widows and elderly. All-round development was
key.

Mohammadpur has a majority dalit population and Jatavs and Raidas who
live here are a satisfied people. Naunilal and Maya Devi, a
70-year-old dalit couple who sell corn and rice puff say they are
grateful to Mayawati. "Constant water-logging near my house was
finally resolved when a pucca road was built," Naunilal said. "An
electricity pole has also come up near our house," Maya Devi added.

For Mithlesh Kumari, recently married to Mohammadpur's Devendra Kumar
, living in a pucca house is the biggest boon. Visits to her maternal
home have reduced. "This house is very comfortable . I don't feel at
ease in my parents' thatched hut," Mithlesh said.

Mohammadpur has been lucky that the work planned got done. Not so in
most of the other Ambedkar villages that still struggle with dirt
roads, contaminated water and no drainage systems despite funds
allocated.

In Gonda Kochwa for instance, residents ' complain. "During rains, the
village becomes hell.

See graph: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=11647490

No one has come to help us," Doodhnath, a resident, said. Houses
constructed under the Indira Awas Yojana lie incomplete. "My brother
was given an Indira Awas in 2004 but its roof is yet to be laid. So my
brother lives with his family of 7 in a thatched hut that erodes and
collapses during every rainy season," said Jagdish Prasad. India
Mark-II hand pumps lie defunct and dry.

Ordinary villages don't even have hope. In Sitapur's Biswa assembly,
Akbarpur has four hand pumps serve 500-people , women walk half a
kilometre for safe drinking water, unemployment is a big concern.
Plagued by the same issues, residents of Hardoi's Jamnipur village
boycotted the Lok Sabha election in 2009.

MODEL VILLAGE?

Villages with majority dalit population get Ambedkar village status
Idea of Ambedkar village originated in 1991 but the concept was
implemented by Mayawati government in 1995 Idea was to bring into the
mainstream, the poor, especially dalits living in remote villages by
bringing development in those regions Basic standards were fixed for
each village.

These included supply of safe drinking water, provision of Indira
Awas, construction of roads, drains, free boring, old age pension,
widow pension, rural electrification among others Till now, 19,176
villages have been covered under the scheme. On an average, '3.5
crores is spent on a single Ambedkar Village

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[ZESTCaste] UP Assembly elections: Ambedkar village scheme in UP has improved lives where work was done

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[ZESTCaste] Gujarat dalits refuse to shift youth's body from police station

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_gujarat-dalits-refuse-to-shift-youths-body-from-police-station_1642393

Gujarat dalits refuse to shift youth�s body from police station

Published: Thursday, Jan 26, 2012, 16:43 IST
By Roxy Gagdekar | Place: Sanand (Gujarat) | Agency: DNA

A white Maruti Van entered Sanand police station on Wednesday morning
and two youths got out of the vehicle. They brought out the body of
Atul Rathod, the 25-year-old dalit youth who was killed on Tuesday in
Rethal village of Sanand taluka, allegedly in a fight with a group of
darbar youths.
A large number of women, weeping and wailing, entered the police
station premises soon after and they were followed by a large number
of dalits, all angry with the functioning of the Sanand police.
They placed Atul's body outside the officers' room at the police
station which was now thronged by more than 200 dalits, shouting
slogans against the police department and demanding the arrest of the
culprits.
The angry people started shouting slogans against the police, which
forced the officers to seek shelter in their rooms for some time.
Nothing could be more illustrative of the Sanand police's failure to
act against the criminals in the area than the officers' attempt to
hide in their rooms.
When some dalit youths wanted to ransack the police station, some
elderly people of the community tried to keep them calm and
non-violent in their agitation against police inaction.
A flurry of meetings followed at the police station. Dalit leaders of
Rethal village had a meeting with DySP, RK Patel. This was followed by
a meeting between the leaders and the superintendent of police,
Ahmedabad rural, RR Bhagat.
Eventually, Ahmedabad collector Vijay Nehra arrived and held a meeting
with the Dalit leaders at the police station. His meeting was followed
by a meeting between the leaders and the IGP, Ahmedabad range, GS
Malik.
There was just one thing common to all these meetings. Every officer
tried to persuade the leaders to remove the dead body from the police
station.
But the Dalit leaders demanded two things. First, arrest the people
who had killed Atul and, secondly, suspend the police officers who had
failed to act responsibly during the incident.
The dalits allege that the police had done absolutely nothing to
arrest the culprits. "They did not even bother to raid their houses or
ask their relatives about their whereabouts. They want us to remove
Atul's body but don't want to arrest the people who killed him,"
alleged Vashram Rathod, the paternal uncle of the deceased. Meanwhile,
dalit youths brought two slabs of ice and put the body on it. Family
members, relatives, friends and well-wishers stood around weeping and
mourning the whole day. The family members also attended the meetings
with different officers in the police inspector's office.
The dalits also demanded the suspension of police officers who had
failed to respond following the clash between dalits and darbars on
Tuesday in which Atul Rathod was killed. The three people named
accused in the case are Yuvrajsinh Rajput, Bharatsinh Rajput and
Jabbarsinh Rajput.
The people injured in the incident are Valji Rathod, Manu Rathod,
Ramesh Cheu, Khodabhai and Ishwar Khoda. Talking to DNA, a Dalit and
victim of the caste system, Shankar Shenva, said Dalits from several
villages had now united against the atrocities of the upper caste
people in the taluka. They had demanded prompt police action against
those responsible for atrocities on dalits.

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[ZESTCaste] Assembly elections: Dalit assertion in Punjab's Doaba does not mean votes for Mayawati

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/assembly-elections-dalit-assertion-in-punjabs-doaba-does-not-mean-votes-for-mayawati/articleshow/11639509.cms

26 Jan, 2012, 03.33PM IST, Sachin Parashar,TNN
Assembly elections: Dalit assertion in Punjab's Doaba does not mean
votes for Mayawati

BALLAN (Jalandhar): A speech by BSP leader Mayawati interspersed with
music, especially a Ravidasa song, blares from a loudspeaker fitted on
an auto bouncing down NH1 between Phagwara and Jalandhar. India's most
powerful dalit leader must win over Doaba, Punjab's dalit heartland if
she wants any real presence in the state.

Will the UP CM succeed? The answer perhaps lies 20km down the road
that leads to Pathankot from Jalandhar. Dera Sachkhand at Ballan
village is the most sacred place for the region's dalits, mainly
Ravidasis. Its growing clout ensured that Congress's Amarinder Singh
visited their chief guru Sant Niranjan Dass for a 'darshan' , and CM
Parkash Singh Badal is also expected. But while the sant blesses all,
he refuses to talk politics.

Dass, who escaped a bid on his life in Vienna in 2009, has manager
Amrik Birdi speak on his behalf. "BSP has sought our support but the
sant believes only people who behave as mahapurush should be voted,''
says Birdi. The Dera has led dalits in strengthening their identity.

Another follower is more forthright. "Punjab's dalits are not Jatav
like Mayawati and will not like to waste their vote on BSP; they will
choose between Congress and Akalis," he says, pointing out that the
'valmikis' have decided to vote for Akalis on the Khanna seat. The
Sehajdhari Sikhs, many of who are dalit, have decided to back
Congress.

Despite their 'dalit' assertion, the community will as always choose
between the two main parties. Importantly , both Congress and SAD
(Badal) have given sufficient representation to dalits.

Mayawati drew a blank in 2007 with BSP getting 4% vote share. BSP's
best performance was in 1996 when Maya entered into an alliance with
Akalis and won three out of four seats. Mayawati apparently has so far
failed as Punjab dalits comprise Ravidasis, Valmikis and Majhabi Sikhs
who do not relate with the UP CM's Jatav identity.

"Punjab has been more liberal in religious practices which has made it
difficult for Mayawati to create a vote-bank solely on her Manuwadi
plank,'' says Pramod Kumar of the Institute for Development and
Communication.

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