Backlash faced by Dalits in inter-caste marriages and non-utilisation of special component for Scheduled Castes dominated the complaints that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes received at a hearing here on Wednesday.
The hearing, conducted by NCSC chairman P.L. Puniya, saw representations from MLAs as well.
Puthia Tamizhagam leader K. Krishnasamy, who appeared before the panel, said he wanted the commission to intervene in the growing number of violent crimes against Dalits who marry outside their community.
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“I cited the recent murder of Gokulraj, the Dalit boy who was murdered in Namakkal,” he said, alleging that such incidents were becoming a trend. Also, he said the police were not committed in following complaints lodged by the members of the Dalit community
Dr. Krishnasamy said there were discrepancies in the utilisation of the special component for Scheduled Castes in the State.
Former IAS office P. Sivakami told the commission that successive Chief Ministers failed to conduct the annual review of the implementation of the Prevention of Atrocities Act, a legal requirement. “Since this is a Central Act, the Centre should intervene and ensure periodic reviews,” she said.
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Ms. Sivakami alleged over 90 per cent of cases under the Act end in acquittals. In many cases, counter complaints stall investigation.
The commission also received representations from a number of NGOs.