Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 31: A “Dalit” delegation from Uttarakhand today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and sought his intervention to end discrimination against them. The delegation, under the auspices of “Aradhana Gramin Vikas Kendra Samiti”, was led by Rajya Sabha MP and noted journalist, Tarun Vijay.
In a memorandum submitted to Dr Jitendra Singh, the delegation complained of discriminatory attitude meted out to Dalits and scheduled castes under the present political dispensation of Uttarakhand. It referred to several instances of atrocities on lower castes, particularly in the Jaunsar-Bawar area of district Dehradun which, as per 2011 census, comprises 42% of scheduled caste population.
In a serious allegation, it was pointed out that even today, people belonging to scheduled castes are not allowed entry into temples. Not only this, members from lower castes are still made to work as bonded labourers by the members of upper castes.
Submitting documents in support of their grievances, the delegation also brought to the notice of the Minister that the registered organization “Aradhana Gramin Vikas Kendra Samiti” had organized a “Parivartan Yatra” from 5th to 15th October this year in a bid to highlight the injustice towards the Dalits and scheduled castes, and also to bring into focus the excesses committed against them. They also submitted copies of representations made in the past whenever there was an incident of physical assault or similar other oppression against Dalits.
Dr Jitendra Singh gave a patient hearing and assured Tarun Vijay that the observations put forward by him would be placed at the appropriate level.
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