From: Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC <pmarc2008@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Subject: [PMARC] Dalits Media Watch - News Updates 22.02.10
To: Dalits Media Watch <PMARC@dgroups.org>
Dalits Media Watch
News Updates 22.02.10
Dalit families migrate from Gujarat village - Thadian News
UPA govt hands out a raw deal to dalits and adivasis - The Times Of India
Phased rollout of food security scheme likely - Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/phased-rolloutfood-security-scheme-likely/386431/
Bihar govt to conduct survey of nomads - The Times Of India
Dalit Muslims demand reservation - The Times Of India
Caste clash stalls B'sore temple rituals - The Pioneer
http://www.dailypioneer.com/237763/Caste-clash-stalls-B%E2%80%99sore-temple-rituals.html
Dalit youth felicitated in Belgaum - The Hindu
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/22/stories/2010022252480300.htm
Dalit MLAs getting a raw deal: Jigajinagi - Deccan Chronicle
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/dalit-mlas-getting-raw-deal-jigajinagi-334
Thadian News
Dalit families migrate from Gujarat village
February 21st, 2010 - 9:21 pm
By Uday Adhvaryu
Zinzuwada/Nagwada (Gujarat), Feb.21 (ANI): Fearing attacks from upper caste people in their village, 187 Dalit or the lower caste families have migrated to neighbouring villages in Gujarat.
These families belonged to Zinzuwada village and decided to migrate to other nearby villages to live in makeshift tents, as they feared attacksby members of upper caste people in their village.
Belonging to the Maldhari community, these people felt compelled to move to nearby villages to escape harassment by upper-caste persons of the village.
They left their village with their belongings to Nagwada, a nearby village and are presently living in makeshift tents.
In Zinzuwada village, which maintains an extremely rigid social hierarchy, the Dalits are mostly employed as manual labourers. They depend solely on the dominant, upper-caste Darbar community for survival.
Members of Maldhari community, who are today living in makeshift tents in Nagwada, say that the Darbars used to bully them and denied them even basic amenities like water.
"We have left the village but before that, the village council did not even provide us with the basic amenities like food or water. The Darbars (upper-caste people of the village) have injured six or seven people of our community. Even after filing a case against them, the government has not taken any action. We left the village as we felt that our daughters and sisters were not safe. The village council didn't even allow us to take water from the wells or the river," said Prabhat Rabari, a villager.
He alleged that the Darbars used to sexually harass the women of their village and did not allow their children to study in schools.
The Maldharis have allegedly been facing discrimination for ages.
"The Darbar community tormented the villagers to such an extent that they had leave the village. The population of Darbars is so huge that they own more than 1,500 houses in the village. They used to harass and bully the Maldharis (the lower-caste community); they have abducted their cattle too. They used to sexually harass the women and exploited them in every possible way. They abducted the women and kept them for 17-20 days in their houses. The people were not able to go to fill the earthen pots with water, from the wells and for 15 days they were deprived of water. The children were also not allowed to go the schools," said Lalji Bhai Desai, a social worker.
He added that the Darbars have already killed nine Maldharis, but the government is still not taking any notice of this situation.
Numbering 160 million, Dalits represent 16 percent of India's population of more than one billion.
Officially, caste discrimination is banned in India and special quotas exist for Dalits in Parliament, state legislatures, village councils, government jobs and educational institutions. (ANI)
The Times Of India
UPA govt hands out a raw deal to dalits and adivasis
Subodh Varma, TNN, Feb 22, 2010, 12.51am IST
In its election manifesto for the 2009 general elections, Congress had promised that it would ensure that allocations made under the Special Components Plan (SCP) for scheduled castes and the Tribal Sub-Plan for scheduled tribes are in accordance with their proportion in the total population. These two crucial schemes ensure that a proportion of all plan spending has to go towards the most marginalized and deprived sections of Indian society dalits and adivasis.
Funds routed under these schemes are non-divertable and non-lapsable. Such a promise was necessary because over the years, it had become almost customary to spend only a small amount under these schemes despite clear mandate that expenditure has to be about 16% for dalits and about 8% for adivasis. When UPA came to power for first time in 2004, only 5 out of 104 departments/ministries were showing such expenditure. Addressing the 51st National Development Council meeting in 2005, PM Manmohan Singh said that within 10 years expenditure would be brought in line with population proportions. Since then, this promise has been repeated several times, and all parties have voiced support to it.
Yet reality is quite the reverse. Not only is the allocation under SCP and TSP below the target, it has actually declined in past three years, according to research done by the Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA), a Delhi-based think tank. Spending for dalits under SCP increased from 4.25% in 2004-05 to 8.12% in 2007-08, but then declined to 6.49% in 2009-10. By law it should be at least 16%, that being the proportion of dalits in the Indian population. Similarly, spending for tribals under TSP increased from a puny 2.8% in 2004-05 to 4.89% in 2007-08, but then declined to 4.1% in the last budget. Again, legally, it should be 8%, which is the share of tribals in Indias population.
This shocking truth emerged from CBGA research on expenditure details under SCP and TSP by 18 ministries/departments which had undertaken such allocation. These include some of the major ministries handling matters that relate to dalit and adivasi communities, like education, rural development, tribal affairs and social justice and empowerment. In 2009-10, total plan expenditure was Rs 243,893 crore. Out of this, Rs 15,832 crore was spent through SCP for dalits. By statutory requirement, it should have been 16% of total expenditure, that is, about Rs 39,514 crore. So, just in one year, dalit communities in India were short-changed for a whopping Rs 23,682 crore. Expenditure on adivasis was pegged at Rs 9,995 crore, whereas it should have been 8% of total, that is, about Rs 19,751. They were deprived of Rs 9,756 crore last year.
Dalits and adivasis constitute the poorest of our society. The bulk of them own very little land, have higher proportion of illiterates and suffer more social exclusion, than other strata. It was to partially mitigate these consequences of centuries of discrimination that schemes like SCP and TSP were devised. But the casual manner in which they are being dealt with despite repeated promises at the highest levels, raises questions about how serious these promises are.
Business Standard
Phased rollout of food security scheme likely
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/phased-rolloutfood-security-scheme-likely/386431/
Saubhadro Chatterji & Joe C Mathew / New Delhi
February 22, 2010, 0:48 IST
Worried over rising food prices hitting the common man, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government may roll out its flagship food security programme for an extended below poverty line (BPL) list.
As it prepares to table the Food Security Bill in Parliament during the coming Budget session, the government may go by the BPL list prepared by the states that comprises around 100 million families.
The list prepared by the Planning Commission on the basis of the 1993 census pegs the number of BPL families at 65.6 million, and is often slammed by the states for its inaccuracies.
The food security scheme — providing 25 kg of rice/wheat at Rs 3 to BPL families — will be implemented in a phased manner, starting with select districts and then, over a period of time, all over the country. The selection of districts will be done on the basis of socio-economic criteria like employment, irrigation facilities, population of SC/ST, etc. "As we did in the case of NREGA (now renamed as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), the Food Security Act will also follow the same pattern," said a senior official in the agriculture ministry. The top Congress brass held two key back-to-back meetings on Friday and Saturday to discuss the Food Security Bill. Last Friday, Congress President Sonia Gandhi — the main force behind this legislation — held discussions, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened another meeting a day later to look into the major impediments.
Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister A K Antony and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food K V Thomas had regularly been in touch with Gandhi and Singh over this issue during the past few weeks.
A Congress minister said: "Sonia Gandhi is determined to bring this Bill as soon as possible. She has asked us to iron out the problems and told us that the Bill has to come. The Prime Minister, too, wants to see the key poll pledge of the party sees the light of the day."
The government is already providing subsidised rice and wheat through the public distribution system (PDS). For the new scheme, it will have to give an additional subsidy of Rs 8/9 for every kg of grain. The scheme, when implemented fully, will require funds to the tune of Rs 24,000 to Rs 27,000 crore a year for 100 million-odd families.
Some states like Bihar have asked for fund (the additional subsidy) transfer to the states for distributing to the beneficiaries, but the government will not adopt this path.
"We know very well that money doesn't reach the poor people. It will allow corrupt officials make money," said a minister involved in this process.
While the finance minister is likely to make some provisions for the Food Security Bill in his coming General Budget (to be presented on Friday), the government faces three major problems.
Existing schemes
The Centre's Antyodaya Anna Yojana already provides subsidised 35 kg foodgrains at Rs 2 per kg. How will the new scheme, to provide 25 kgs at Rs 3 per kg, fit into this existing scheme that is more beneficial? Further, states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh provides food grains at Re 1 per kg for its BPL population. How can they be asked to raise the bar? "Tamil Nadu is going for election next year and the Andhra Pradesh government is in a political crisis. The Centre will find it very difficult to implement the new scheme in these states," said a senior official of the food and agriculture ministry.
Supply of food grain
In seasons of normal or bumper harvest there won't be any problem with the supply of food grains (estimated at 3,000 kg). But how will the government tackle a season of drought or flood? "In 2009, there was a worldwide crisis of sugar. Prices went up. How will we ensure the supply and how to manage the inflated subsidy bill?" asks the senior official.
Role of the states
Will the states agree for the transportation and handling costs of grains under this scheme as laid down in the proposed Act? Also, PDS is under the control of states. So, how to ensure all beneficiaries get proper supply? The draft Bill, however, has some penalty provisions in case states fail to supply properly.
The Times Of India
Bihar govt to conduct survey of nomads
PTI, Feb 22, 2010, 08.48am IST
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said a survey would be conducted to know the exact number of nomad community people residing in the state, with efforts to settle them permanently.
Kumar called upon the 'nomad' community members at a public meeting to take advantage of measures by the state government to improve their lot and implored them to learn the 3 R's (basic literacy) so that they could know about their rights provided under the constitution.
He said the nomads should fight for inclusion of their names in the voters list by staying at a place in a stipulated time, as envisaged by the EC.
The chief minister claimed that the large number of dalits vindicated the success in the government's efforts to provide justice to the downtrodden.
The Times Of India
Dalit Muslims demand reservation
Swati Mathur, TNN, Feb 22, 2010, 04.21am IST
LUCKNOW: Even as protesters took to streets in the national capital, in Lucknow also, 500-odd members of the All India Dalit Muslim Morcha (AIDMM) demanded that the Indian constitution be rewritten in order to include Dalit Muslims under Article 341 of the Indian Constitution. Citing the example of the Ranganath Mishra Commission report, which recommended the inclusion of Dalit Muslims as Scheduled Castes, the group added that their demands be met as soon as possible.
The AIDMM members also shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which said that over 70% of the Muslims and Christians in the country fall under the category of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians. However, both categories of minorities have remained excluded from the benefits — such as reservations in public jobs — given to other communities included in Article 341 of the constitution.
Accepting that though, in principal, Islam does not recognise untouchability, national president of the morcha, Salahuddin Shibu said that there are sections within the Muslim community that work as rag-pickers, cobblers and those who clean urinals. Called 'Dalit Muslims', this according to Shibu, is the worst-affected category, therefore, needing recognition and inclusion in Article 341 of the Indian Constitution.
"Article 341 takes cognizance of Dalit Sikhs and Buddhists but does not recognise Dalit Muslims and Christians. Through a constitutional amendment, we want that Dalit Muslims should also be included under the purview of this Act," said Shibu.
Maintaining that India is a secular country, the members of the morcha also said that Articles 14 (Right to Equality), 15 (Prohibition of discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth), 16 (Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment) and 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practise and propagation of religion), forbid discrimination of a person on communal grounds.
However, despite submitting several memorandums to the government and getting favourable reactions from the Sachar Committee, Fatmi Committee, National Scheduled Caste Commission and National Minority Commission in the past few years, no concrete action has been taken.
In a meeting of the Union Cabinet in May, 2007, it was decided that the final decision to include Dalit Muslims in the list of Scheduled Castes would be taken after the submission of the Ranganath Mishra Commission report. However, though the Mishra Commission report was tabled on May 21, 2007, no decision was reached. Further, the issue was raised in a Parliamentary debate on 18 December, 2009, but, once again, no action was taken.
The Pioneer
Caste clash stalls B'sore temple rituals
http://www.dailypioneer.com/237763/Caste-clash-stalls-B%E2%80%99sore-temple-rituals.html
Pioneer News Service | Balasore
The rituals of a Shiva temple in Bankipada village under Iswarpur Gram Panchayat in Oupada block has been stalled since February 14 following alleged conflict between the general caste and Dalits, sources informed.
The village has nearly 70 per cent general castes out of the 120 households. However, SDPO Nilgiri informed that the police station had not received any complaints.
The Karuneswar Mahadev temple was consecrated on December 3 last year and since then the alleged conflict over worshipping rights has surfaced, sources added.
The Hindu
Dalit youth felicitated in Belgaum
http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/22/stories/2010022252480300.htm
Staff Correspondent
Belgaum: Dalit youth were felicitated for their achievements in various fields at a function held at the Kannada Sahitya Bhavan here on Sunday by the All India Dalit Youth Organisation (AIDYO).
Among those felicitated are limbo-skater Abhishek Navale, who made world record in skating backwards; Jeetendra B. Kaktikar, karate black belt-second, who is the chief instructor of Shitorio in Karnataka; Pavan Kamble, cricketer; Buddha Kalpatri, dancer; and Kaveri Bukyalkar.
Addressing the gathering, advocate N.R. Latur and district president of the Karnataka State Government SC/ST Employees' Association Rahul Maitri said that there was no dearth of talent in lower sections of society. What they needed was better facilities.
Sammelan
AIDYO president Mallesh G. Chougale said that the organisation would hold a national-level "Yuva Dalit Sahitya Sammelan" in the city in May.
Writers from various parts of the country would be invited to the three-day sammelan, he added.
Deccan Chronicle
Dalit MLAs getting a raw deal: Jigajinagi
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/bengaluru/dalit-mlas-getting-raw-deal-jigajinagi-334
February 22nd, 2010
Q & A: Ramesh Jigajinagi , DC Correspondent
After braving an exacting revolt by the Reddy brothers followed by another by a section of BJP MLAs, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is now facing one more formidable challenge: this time from the Dalit legislators. Championing the cause of the Dalit MLAs is Bijapur BJP MP Ramesh C. Jigajinagi who has no qualms about venting his ire on the Chief Minister. He says he has neither the backing of the Reddy brothers nor of any other leader. What has annoyed this former Janata Dal leader is the raw deal handed out to Dalit leaders in the BJP. Excerpts from an interview with N.B. Hombal.
Of late, you have been criticising Mr Yeddyurappa a lot in public. Any particular reason for the tirade?
I've not been criticising him. All that I have done is raise a few issues that need to be debated in public and in party forums. One issue is adequate representation for Dalits in the state Cabinet and in the party which I have spoken about a lot. In fact I have been raising this issue ever since the BJP government came to power nearly 20 months ago. As my pleas failed to elicit a response in party forums, I was forced to go public.
Going by the representation for Dalits, the Chief Minister seems to have been fair to the community?
(Angrily) You have got it wrong. Mr Yeddyurappa has given posts to some independent MLAs who are Dalits which has not benefited BJP legislators who have been toiling for the party for 20-30 years. Except minor irrigation minister Govind Karjol and higher education minister Aravind Limbavali, there is no other Dalit leader in the Cabinet.
Is there a Dalit in the newly set up co-ordination committee? All it has are Lingayats and Brahmins. Why were Dalits not included? Are they unfit to be members of the committee?
By championing the Dalit cause, are you trying to fill the vacuum caused by the exit of former Union minister and Lingayat leader Basavaraj Patil Yatnal in Bijapur and Bagalkot districts after he joined the JD(S)?
Let me make it clear that I have no aspirations of becoming the Chief Minister or trying to fit into the shoes of someone else. I live in a real world and have my feet firmly grounded. When your community and its leaders are ignored by party leaders, you feel bitter about it. What's wrong in expressing your anguish?
So what's your purpose of speaking out in public against the Chief Minister?
My sole aim is to secure more representation for my community and consolidate Dalit votes for the party. The efforts put in by Dalit leaders over the years played a big role in attracting the community to the BJP. If more and more Dalit leaders are not accommodated in the party hierarchy and the government, these efforts will go waste. Even BJP national president Nitin Gadkari has started speaking about a bigger deal for Dalits while Mr Yeddyurappa is trying to ignore them by accommodating only Lingayats and Brahmins.
You seem to have learnt a lot from the tactics adopted by the Reddy brothers when they took on Mr Yeddyurappa last year. Are they supporting you in your campaign to get the Dalits their due?
(Angrily): I don't even know them. I know they are ministers in the BJP Cabinet but nothing more. And you know that I have been in politics much before they may have thought of entering the field.
If no one cares to listen to your complaint, what would you do?
If the party does not take this issue seriously, the leaders will learn their lesson in some time. Dalits across the state are already fed up with the way they are being treated.
The party must nip this sense of disappointment in the bud before it spreads. Everyone knows what the remedy is (more representation for Dalits).
Will we see you exploring options including joining another party?
Don't expect me to do that. I have been a staunch follower of late Ramakrishna Hegde and Atal Behari Vajpayee all these years.
The buzz in BJP circles is that Mr Yeddyurappa has changed for the better after the dissident activity in November. What would you suggest to him to make himself more acceptable?
If he had changed his ways, why would I give you an interview? He has not changed a bit!
I would only like to repeat that he should focus on becoming the leader of the entire state and not of one community.
--
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
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Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.
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