*NATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON DALIT HUMAN RIGHTS is an Advocacy Platform committed for Dalit Human Rights at the Grass root, National and International levels. Dalits In News aims at sensitizing Civil societies, HR Mechanisms and providing updates of HR violations on Dalits for their Intervention.***
*NATIONAL CAMPAIGN ON DALIT HUMAN RIGHTS* *NCDHR* *Dalits In News* *June 30, 2007* *Dalit refuses to work, set ablaze-** Express India* http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=243528** *Dalit students at receiving end-** The Hindu** * http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Hindu/400x60/0 *Staff-starved Scheduled Castes panel seeks more teeth-** The Pioneer* * *http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Pioneer/400x60/0** ***SC, ST archakas to be appointed-** The Hindu** * http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Hindu/400x60/0** ***Benefits elude SC/ST population: Members-** New Indpress* http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20070628223020&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0 *38% reservation for SC, ST in colleges-** The Pioneer*** *http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Pioneer/400x60/0*** *THE WORSHIP OF FALSE GODS-** Tehelka* http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Cr070707shadow_lines.asp *Assocham to offer 300 SC/ST girls free MBA education-** Merinews* * *http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=125473*** * * Express India* * * *Dalit refuses to work, set ablaze* http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=243528 *Rao Jaswant Singh* <http://www.expressindia.com/about/feedback.html> *Kanpur**, June 29:* In a horrifying incident, three youths of Kusma village in the Gajner area of Kanpur, tried to set ablaze Dev Kumar, a Dalit youth, today. The police have admitted Dev to the Hallet Hospital in a critical condition, while a case has been registered against the accused with raids being conducted to nab them. According to reports, Dev had borrowed Rs 20 from Ramesh Kumar of the same village. In return, Ramesh wanted Dev to work as a labourer at his house, where renovation work was underway. When Dev refused to do so, irked Ramesh warned him of dire consequences and demanded his money back. Dev told Newsline that he somehow managed to collect the money and paid Ramesh back. However, on Friday, Ramesh called Dev to his house, where his friends Pooran and Shailesh were also present. The trio caught hold of Dev, poured kerosene on him and set him ablaze. They left after locking the room from outside. Meanwhile, passers-by heard Dev's cries and broke the door open. The villagers took Dev to the Hallet Hospital, where his condition is said to be critical. Gajner Police said that a force has been deployed in the village to look for the culprits and strict action would be taken against them *The Hindu*** *Dalit students at receiving end* http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Hindu/400x60/0 Staff Reporter Sangareddy: Parents of some schoolchildren belonging to upper castes still stop them from having the midday meal cooked by Dalit women in Medak district. The practice of boycotting the mid-day meal by schoolchildren has been noticed in more than 15 villages in the district. These villages include Giripalli of Gajwel mandal, Tirumalapuram of Doultabad mandal and Yelgoi of Zaheerabad mandal. Considering the case of Giripalli where children belonging to upper castes have been abstaining from the mid-day meal from the past two years, Medak District Collector B.Venkatesam has ordered the Revenue Divisional Officer concerned to cancel all the benefits to the particular school, including the mid-day meal facility for practising untouchability. The Collector further directed the officers to restart the mid-day meal scheme with Dalit cooks. The Collector in an announcement also asked the parents to realize that it's the cleanliness that counts but the not the caste of the person who cooks the food. The Kulavivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham district secretary K.Rajaiah told *The Hindu* that the study carried out by the Sangham in April had revealed that the parents who obstruct their children from having a meal at the school had not been taken to task by the officers. He said that no cases were booked against them for practising 'apartheid.' He opined that few cases would instil fear in the people who still practice untouchability. Medak Superintendent of Police R.B.Nayak said that so far 110 cases booked under the SC/ST Atrocities Prevention Act had been solved. He said that 21 cases had been booked during the first two quarters of the current year. * * *The Pioneer*** * * *Staff-starved Scheduled Castes panel seeks more teeth* http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Pioneer/400x60/0 *Pioneer News Service | New Delhi* The staff-starved National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is seeking more teeth to prevail upon the defaulting agencies in complying with the panel's recommendations and decisions. The Commission, supposed to take care of the interests of 16.23 per cent SC population, is currently functioning without a DIG and only 22 staff. "The last meeting of the Commission decided to make a fresh representation to the Centre, seeking powers to impose penalty and also statutory provisions to make the Commission's recommendations/decisions mandatory to be followed and implemented by agencies," a senior official said. "The members also agreed to meet the Prime Minister and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and take up the Commission's outstanding issues with them for consideration and immediate approval. They want a kind of autonomy to be granted to the commission and increase the number of staff as well," the official said. According to the sources in the Commission, around 33 per cent positions are currently lying vacant. The most important among them was the post of a DIG, who deals with cases of atrocities against the Scheduled Castes. This key post has been lying vacant for over year. Sources said Commission secretary SK Sood recently wrote to the Veena Chhotray, secretary of Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, requesting her to do the needful to fill-up the existing vacancies. "With the sanctioned staff of 33 including peons and attendants for the members and other senior officials, the Commission cannot discharge its duties so effectively. The whole-purpose of having the commission would be defeated if it is not properly fine-tuned and streamlined," the official said** *The Hindu* *SC, ST archakas to be appointed** * http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Hindu/400x60/0 Special Correspondent BANGALORE: The Government will take steps soon to appoint archaks from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in temples that come under the Department of Religious Institutions and Endowment, said Minister for Fisheries and Muzrai B. Nagaraj Shetty There are 34,194 temples under the department. In a circular issued on February 28, 1987, the Government directed the department to give equal opportunity to all castes while filling vacancies in temples, except that of the post of archak. Since the wages in most temples were meagre, there were very few who were interested in jobs there. Even so, action was being taken to appoint Dalits to all posts, he said. The Government has constituted a committee to study all aspects of temple administration. * * * * *New Indpress* * * *Benefits elude SC/ST population: Members* http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20070628223020&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0 Friday June 29 2007 08:51 IST BHUBANESWAR: Legislators cutting across party lines expressed concern that benefits of developmental programmes of the Government are yet to reach a vast majority of the scheduled tribes and scheduled castes population. Initiating the demand discussion on Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste evelopment Department in the Assembly on Thursday, Ulaka Ramachandra of ongress said the Naxalite problem in the State is an offshoot of the economic isparities. There is no perceptible change in the socio-economic condition of the tribals despite huge budgetary provisions made by various Governments. The Government must ensure that the money earmarked for the tribal and harijan people is reaching the target group. Emphasising on educating tribals, the Congress MLA urged the Government for establishment of a tribal university. He further suggested the Government to take special measures for providing technical education in scheduled areas. While blaming the Congress for the backwardness of the tribal people of the State, Draupadi Murmu (BJP) said lack of education is the major hindrance in the way of their development. It is because of language problem, the tribal people, mostly primitive tribes, are unable to come to the national mainstream. She strongly advocated for the establishment of a Santali Akademi on the line of Sahitya Akademi to address the language problem. Several members complained about violation of the Orissa Reservation of Vacancies (ORV) Act. Baidhar Mallick (BJP) and Prafulla Majhi (Congress) suggested incorporation of stringent measures in the proposed amendment of ORV Act. The discussion remained inconclusive. * * *The Pioneer*** *38% reservation for SC, ST in colleges*** *http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Pioneer/400x60/0* *Bhubaneswar**:* SC and ST Development Minister Chaitnya Prasad Majhi on Friday said 38 per cent seats in the colleges would be reserved for the SC and ST students. "If any one violates the order, strict action would be taken against him,"said Majhi. Majhi further said steps would be taken to appoint at least one teacher for 20 tribal students. Giving reply on the expenditures of the SC and ST department, Majhi said steps would be taken to teach the tribal students through tribal languages. He said books in tribal languages have been published. In a bid to spread educations among the tribal girls, steps would be taken to set up girls' hostels. He further said Government would take necessary steps so that the local MLA could be appointed as chairman of the ITDA. Regarding the OBC reservation issue, he said as the case was under sub-judice, the earlier order on reservation would not be implemented.** *Tehelka* *THE WORSHIP OF FALSE GODS* http://www.tehelka.com/story_main31.asp?filename=Cr070707shadow_lines.asp When a new building was constructed in Jaipur for the state High Court, the local Bar Association put forward a proposal for the installation of a statue of Manu to beautify the premises. From proposal to completion, the entire plan was kept a close secret, never made public until the statue was in place. Manu was the creator of the varna system under which Hindu society for centuries denied all basic human rights and dignity to Dalits. For us, a statue of Manu can only symbolise the unjust social structure imposed on us from time immemorial. All the oppression we continue to suffer is because of Manu and his treatise, the Manudharma Sastra. The Constitution has attempted to improve the condition of Dalits through law, but Manu's words have been an unwritten stricture the law cannot touch. Had Manu's statue been installed anywhere else, perhaps we would not have cared to react. But to see such homage paid to a figure who represents all that is unjust in this society, and that too standing proud in the premises of the Rajasthan High Court, is shocking. It is beyond acceptance. We turn to the courts when we are in trouble, which for us is almost perennial. What worse message could we receive? Can we ever expect justice from a court which we enter looking at Manu's idol? It only tells us that even the High Court subscribes to Manu's ideology. On the other hand, the statue of Dr BR Ambedkar, the father of our Constitution, has been shunted to an invisible corner. It says a lot about the mentality of the judiciary and the government in Rajasthan. How is such a system to contribute to the constitutional ideal of a casteless society? The statue was installed on June 28, 1989, and we have been fighting it ever since. There were huge protests all over the state soon after it was put up, and a full bench of the High Court ordered that it be removed within 48 hours. We were all happy, but soon after that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Acharya Dharmendra filed a writ petition in the court of Justice Mahender Bhushan, who passed a stay order on July 27, 1989 — as a result the statue is there till date. There are many cases dating back to 1989 that have seen their final hearings, but not this one. Each time this case comes to a final hearing, the bench postpones it on the grounds that it is a very sensitive issue. But we will not give up easily — we haven't so far, and we will not in the future. We will continue to file applications asking for a final hearing in this case. We want to see how they will justify their deliberate delays. We install statues of Ambedkar because that's our way of reclaiming our lost dignity. But why is the government installing a statue of Manu? The very government which is supposed to have no biases towards any religion or caste. Let there be Manu statues wherever anyone pleases, but the government should not be a party to it *Merinews* *Assocham to offer 300 SC/ST girls free MBA education *** http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=125473 merinews network 28 June 2007, Thursday One more step ahead in contributing towards development of the country, ASSOCHAM will be sponsoring 300 SC/ST girl students living below poverty line free Management degrees at the Bachelors or Masters level. TO IMPLEMENT concrete steps by Indian Industry on inclusiveness for Scheduled Casts and Scheduled Tribes submitted to the Prime Minister, last year, ASSOCHAM recently decided to provide 300 girls below poverty line (BPL), free education along with boarding, lodging, clothing, books etc., at the Bachelors or MBA level. ASSOCHAM will also help them to get jobs. In a statement issued after a meeting, its President Venugopal Dhoot said, "ASSOCHAM – Rai Foundation" would be implementing the decision with immediate effect. The eligible candidates could approach ASSOCHAM on [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Rai Foundation at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ASSOCHAM has already organized ten skill development programmes for the SCs/STs at various levels and are also inching towards entrepreneurship development programmes. At the Centre created by ASSOCHAM at Kanpur, so far 200 SCs have been extended help to start their own income generating businesses, said the Chamber President. ASSOCHAM President said, last month the chamber has signed an MoU with the ANaRDe Foundation for joint initiative for SC & ST inclusive development. Under the economic development programme ASSOCHAM- ANaRDe enables poor and needy people to take up some income generation activities as per their interest and background. These institutions shall provide training to such people and link them to banks for credit and to the Government for incentive schemes, if any. The institution will also help them in the marketing of their produce. Various training programmes organized by ASSOCHAM-AnaRDe include skill upgradation training, new skill development, training dissemination of technology and its appropriate use, Entrepreneurship development training and training on forward and backward linkages, etc. ASSOCHAM-AnaRDe has helped over 7 lakhs people under its economic development programme. It may be mentioned that ASSOCHAM would be extending help to the AnaRDe Foundation which runs four huge schools (primary to higher secondary standard) in Rawalsar, Naguma, Vinjalpur and Dodhia village of JamnagarDistrict of Gujarat state as model schools for quality education. Programmes focusing at propagating better thinking among the children, strengthening their patriotic feelings, discussions, competitions etc. are emphasized in these schools so as to have an all-round development and produce better citizens for future. ASSOCHAM-AnaRDe also undertakes various rural development activities with the help of school teachers and children. In a report submitted to the Prime Minister last year ASSOCHAM while opposing the legislation for reservation had committed that : i. Industry will endeavour to reflect greater representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in its new recruitment at all levels, and expects its efforts to become visible within the next year. ii. Companies will strengthen their Human Resource systems for enhancing access and opportunity to applicants from Scheduled casts and Scheduled Tribes with equal qualifications and competence for employment. iii. Companies will be encouraged to provide for more executive positions through appointment/promotions from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. iv. ASSOCHAM will develop advocacy and information programmes for companies on employment policies for greater participation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. ASSOCHAM Promoter Chambers Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Indian Merchants' Chamber, Madras Chamber of Commerce & Industry and PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other leading Chambers have joined ASSOCHAM in this regard, said Dhoot. He further said that ASSOCHAM shall train entrepreneurs from socially and economically backward amongst SC and ST communities at District Industry Centres in association with the local industries and corporates. The Chamber has also proposing to help establish coaching programmes in universities to lower dropout rates amongst students of Scheduled castes and Scheduled Tribes. Such programmes are currently being undertaken by institutions such as IIMs. In the first year, 10 universities will be identified for programmes covering 10,000 students with the objective of escalating to 50 cities and 50,000 students by 2009. Dhoot also said, he has constituted a special task force under the Chairmanship of former ITC Chairman K.L. Chugh and a concrete action plan shall be announced soon. ARUN KHOTE Secretary- Media National Campaign On Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) 8/1, 2nd Floor, South Patel Nagar, New Delhi-110008 Ph: 011- 25842249 /25842250 0- 9350183802 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.ncdhr.org -- Subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a BLANK email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
