Chronicling the role and views of communists in the struggle for the annihilation of caste
The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the notification by the BJP government at the centre prohibiting the sale of cattle for slaughter in markets. Subsequently he shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, demanding the repeal of the newly imposed restrictions. [Read more]
Preethy Sekhar
Hundreds of young men and women in Mumbai joined the Mumbai Youth March organized by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) on April 23 evening to protest against increasing atrocities on minorities and Dalits in the country. The fearless march of the youth shouting slogans against Gaurakshak criminals and their political masters resonated with the protest in the hearts of the downtrodden people. [Read more]
A degrading, age-old ritual in Hassan district of Karnataka which involves piercing the flesh of Dalits using metal hooks has come under challenge by democratic forces led by the Dalit Hakkugala Samiti. The ritual known as ‘Sidi’ involves inserting metal hooks into the flesh of the backs of Dalit men, who are then tied to a wooden pole. The men dangle from the wooden pole with the help of the hooks, while the pole, which is mounted on a central axis, spins slowly as it is pulled by a rope held by other men. [Read more]
The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) led a militant struggle at Vembi Village in Villupuram District demanding house-sites for Dalits. The struggle ended successfully and 105 landless families living in precarious conditions got house-sites. [Read more]
The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) led a massive protest for land reclamation in Pennagaram town of Dharmapuri district. 345 Dalit families participated in this protest demanding land for livelihood. The protest was a big success. [Read more]
A Dalit family in Seerkali Taluk, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, was denied road access to take the body of its member to the cremation ground. The CPI(M), along with alliance partners Makkal Nalak Koottani (MNK) protested to remove this roadblock after which the police and revenue officials were forced to clear the road for the family […]
People’s Democracy, February 23, 2014 The first state convention of the Struggle Committee for the Annihilation of Caste (Jaati Anta Sangharsh Samiti) was held at Nagpur on January 25, 2014. The venue was named after Surekha Bhotmange and the hall after Priyanka Bhotmange, the mother and daughter duo who were raped and killed in the […]
(People’s Democracy, November 15, 2009) Alleging that dalits were still facing discrimination in different parts of Tamilnadu and that this included denial of access to temples, the Theendamai Ozhippu Munnani (Untouchability Eradication Front) has announced that it would organise more temple entry protests in the state. The Theendamai Ozhippu Munnani is led by Tamil Nadu […]
by P Sampath (People’s Democracy, November 15, 2009) The struggles waged by the Tamilnadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) in the recent past have undoubtedly proved to be a turning point in the struggle for the rights of the dalit and tribal people. A majority of those who participated in this movement are dalits. Several of […]
Barely had the nationwide shock and outrage against the brutal killings of four dalits in Khairlanji subsided, a systematic attempt is on to sabotage the case by intimidation of key witnesses. The active collusion of local administration, perpetrators of this heinous crime and political leadership continues unabated in an effort to prevent delivery of justice. The CPI(M) expressed its deep concern at these recent developments in the Khairlanji case and appealed to the central government to ensure speedy justice. Polit Bureau member and MP, Brinda Karat, met the union home minister Shivraj Patil along with key witness Sidharth Gajbhaye on January 16, 2007 in New Delhi and raised this issue. [Read more]