2011 tops in atrocities against dalits in TN: Study

Atrocities against dalits in Tamil Nadu have increased in the past year and some of them have even gone unreported, reveals a study. According to the report, the maximum number of crimes is taking place in Villupuram district.

Highlighting the crime rate in 2011, a study by Madurai based Dalit Rights organization, 'Evidence', reveals that the figures of those killed has drastically increased in the year gone by.

There were 22 murders in 2010, 27 in 2009 and 34 in 2008. The study also reports about killings of dalits.

While talking to TSI, the Executive Director of 'Evidence', Kathir said, "While examining 336 cases last year, we have collected this shocking information. Of those who have been done to death, 8 of them are teenagers.”

Most of the dalit political parties, he says, appear to have compromised themselves with the establishment. “This tragic trend prevailed because of the non-effective functioning of Police and Judiciary. Unfortunately there is no political pressure to put an end to this malady.”

Last year alone, there were 20 sexual assaults on dalits, the study reveals, but only 5.8 per cent of cases were taken for prosecution.

More than 95 per cent of those who commit these atrocities go unscathed. Villupuram district has got the large number of dalit population in Tamil Nadu. Kathir adds that Virudunagar district stays is at the second place and Madurai district at the third place in witnessing perpetration against the dalits.

"The 1989 act on atrocities against dalits has not been effectively implemented and is evident from the information available. It only shows the non-seriousness on the part of both the Centre and the State Government in the cases of atrocities against dalits,” says Kathir.

Kathir has also impressed upon the State Government to rehabilitate the dalit families affected by the atrocities. He has urged upon the government to create the awareness among the students of Tamil Nadu to establish an egalitarian society.