Dalits Media Watch
News Updates 11.07.13
One booked under SC/ST atrocities Act- The Times Of India
Dalit youth killed: 'Give counsel copies of experts opinions who saw post-mortem'- The Indin Express
Post-mortem report of Dalit youth not up to expectation: HC- ZeeNews
Suicide or murder? Madras High Court directs expert doctor to examine Dalit man's body- NDTV
Dalit boy's death: Will decide on second autopsy after expert submits his report, says HC- IBNLive
Atrocities Against Dalits: The Pabnava Incident- EPW
http://www.epw.in/web-exclusives/atrocities-against-dalits-pabnava-incident.html
Dalit park's security may be given to district magistrate soon- The Times Of India
Govt in favour of quota in higher judiciary- The Times Of India
Hostelites starve while govt college admin, warden lock horns- The Times Of India
Dalit memorials to lose 90% staff- The Times Of India
NOTE: Please find attachment for HINDI NEWS UPDATES (PDF)
The Times Of India
One booked under SC/ST atrocities Act
MARGAO: The MainaCurtorim police on Tuesday booked an offence against Moreno Carlos Rebello, a resident of Maina, Curtorim, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Act, 1986, based on a complaint lodged by Joana Dias from Sao Jose de Areal.
Dias, in her complaint to the police, alleged that the accused trespassed into her property, damaged her paddy fields with the help of an earthmoving machine, verbally abused her and her children, while also 'insulting the modesty of her daughter'.
Deputy SP Mohan Naik is conducting further investigations.
The Indin Express
Dalit youth killed: 'Give counsel copies of experts opinions who saw post-mortem'
The Madras High Court today directed that authorities to hand over to all counsel concerned copies of opinions of experts who viewed the videography of the postmortem on Dalit youth Ilavarasan whose body was found along a railway track in Dharmapuri five days ago.
23-year old Ilavarasan, whose marriage to a upper caste girl triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of the district in November last, was found along the track on July 4, a day after his wife said she would never go back to him. A Division Bench comprising Justices V Dhanapalan and C T Selvam watched the videography for over two hours with experts from various medical institutions.
The experts, including Additional Medical Superintendent and in-Charge MLC Autopsy wing of JIPMER, Puducherry Dr M J E Ambroise and Dr K K Shaha, Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, JIPMER among others, said there are some defects in the autopsy but that a second post-mortem was not needed as the main injuries had already been covered extensively in the video.
Yesterday Ilavarasan's friend Ramesh had filed a petition seeking a second postmortem. The experts said collection of blood for chemical analysis was unsatisfactory and none of the organs had been weighed as per the standard protocol.
Dr Dekal, Associate Professor, Savitha Medical College, differed in his opinion, saying it was not a reasonably good autopsy in a highly suspicious case and an autopsy surgeon may not be able to tell whether it could be a suicide or homicide from the way documentations were done.
Dr Rajamani Bheem Rao, Associate Professor, Forensic Medicines, Madras Medical College, Dr K Thunder, Chief, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Dharmapuri Medical College,Dr R Satish Kumar,Tutor in Forensic Medicine, Government Dharmapuri Medical College and Dr G Ravi Kumar all said there was no need for a second post-mortem.
ZeeNews
Post-mortem report of Dalit youth not up to expectation: HC
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Wednesday said the post-mortem report of the Dalit youth, whose body was found along a rail track last week, is not up to its expectation and directed a two-member expert team, independent of government or that sought by petitioners to re-examine it. It directed the experts to examine the body of Ilavarasan and take X-ray if needed and frame an opinion on the likelihood or otherwise of any internal injuries.
The Bench said it would be open for them to do further clinical or surgical examination as considered necessary and inform it through a report tomorrow, and which should be submitted to the court by 10.30 AM on Friday.
The experts are Dr Thangaraj, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, SRM College and Research Centre, Potheri in Kancheepuram district and Dr P Sampathkumar, Professor of Forensic Medicine and vice-principal, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Porur in Chennain.
Yesterday, a seven-member expert team had submitted individual reports on the autopsy and copies were handed over to counsels concerned.
The bench found fault with the report of Associate Professor Rajamani Bheema Rao, saying such a very briefm report was not expected, especially when they had called for expert opinion.
The Bench said it had no reason to suspect any wrongdoing in conduct of the Post-mortem, but it felt it is necessary to consider that the cry for justice by the downtrodden and oppressed not go unheard and the Court should appropriately respond.
It then posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.
23-year old Ilavarasan, whose marriage to a upper caste girl triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of Dharmapuri district in November last,was found dead along a railway track on July 4, a day after his wife said she would never go back to him.
While the post-mortem concluded that he had died of serious head injuries, his family members and Dalit outfits have maintained that he had been done to death. – PTI
NDTV
Suicide or murder? Madras High Court directs expert doctor to examine Dalit man's body
Chennai: The Madras High Court today directed that an expert doctor from the Christian Medical College in Vellore should examine the body of Ilavarasan. The Dalit man, who married a girl from the Vanniyar community, was found dead last week in Tamil Nadu.
The court said it will pass orders on whether or not a second autopsy should be performed on Ilavarasan's body after the expert's report.
The High Court wants a doctor with more than 30 years of experience to examine the body.
Yesterday, two judges of the High Court had watched the video recording of the first post-mortem performed last Thursday along with seven experts, including a forensic analyst chosen by Ilavarasan's family.
Six of the seven experts said in their respective reports that a second autopsy is not required. Dr Dekal, the expert chosen by Ilavarasan's family, is the only one who wants the court to order a second autopsy. "It will help correct deficiencies. Better correlation of autopsy finding will help the investigation team and the court to arrive at the near truth," he said.
However, two other experts, Dr M J E Ambroise and Dr K K Shaha from Jawaharlal Nehru institute of Post graduate Medical Education (JIPMER), claim that there were defects in the performance of the first autopsy."
The first autopsy report had revealed that Ilavarasan died of a head injury. His parents, however, suspect foul play and point fingers at the dominant Vanniyar community and the PMK that backs it. A second autopsy performed in the presence of their doctor, they hope, would find evidence that would strengthen their case. However, sources close to the PMK leadership have denied any role in this.
Police sources, meanwhile, claim it is a case of suicide.
Ilavarasan had married Divya, a Vanniyar girl, last August. Weeks after they eloped, Divya's father committedsuicide which triggered riots against Dalits in and around their village. Around 250 Dalit homes were allegedly torched by Vanniyars.
Divya appeared before the court last Wednesday and said she doesn't want to return to her husband citing continuing animosity between the two communities and haunting memories of her late father. The following day, her husband was found dead near a railway track.
IBNLive
Dalit boy's death: Will decide on second autopsy after expert submits his report, says HC
New Delhi: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide an expert and experienced doctor from Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, who will examine Dalit youth Ilavarasan's body. The court will decide on a second autopsy only after the expert submits his report.
Earlier, six of the seven experts didn't want a second autopsy. The Madras High Court move comes after the police said last Thursday that they had recovered a suicide note allegedly written by the Dalit youth. Ilavarasan's body was found dead on the railway tracks.
A four page letter purportedly written by Ilavarasan in which he states that none should be held responsible for his death, has been recovered by the Special Investigation Team probing the case. The letter also gives details on the boy's failed inter-caste marriage.
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a commission to probe the death of Ilavarasan.
On Saturday, the boy's family had claimed that the he was murdered and demanded another postmortem be conducted. The autopsy performed on Sunday on Ilavarasan, who was found dead on a railway track on July 4, stated that the youth had died of a "serious head injury" even as the probe was transferred from government
railway police to local police.
Ilavarasan, whose marriage to Divya triggered anti-Dalit violence in three villages of Dharmapuri district in November 2012, was found dead along a railway track here on July 4, a day after the girl said she would never go back to him and instead stay with her mother.
The Times Of India
Dalit park's security may be given to district magistrate soon
NOIDA: Even as the fate of the Rs 685 crore Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden in Noida continues to remain wrapped in uncertainty, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling over handing its security to the Gautam Budh Nagar district collector. Sources said the move comes after a Lucknow committee decided to rationalize manpower at the dalit memorials last month.
The district magistrate and Noida Authority officials, however, claim that they are yet to receive any formal communication from the government for taking over from the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, which is the agency maintaining and securing the memorial presently. "A meeting was held in Lucknow on Thursday, but we have not received any formal letter," said PK Agarwal, ACEO, Noida Authority. District magistrate Kumar Ravikant Singh also confirmed it.
Sources say that the number of personnel in-charge of securing the memorial is being trimmed and charge is being handed over to the district administration because posts created by the previous regime were irrational.
The security of the park had also been reduced substantially after SP came to power in March last year. Currently, the Dalit Prerna Sthal is guarded by 26 private security personnel in two shifts.
In October 2011, when the park was inaugurated, the state administration had left no stone unturned in providing security to the memorial. Over 200 personnel of a Special Range Security battalion had been deployed, besides two other battalions comprising 36 personnel each to guard the statues inside. The battalion, a specialized unit of the police, was raised by the BSP government specifically for protecting monuments, parks and memorials in Lucknow and Gautam Budh Nagar. The memorial protection force was sanctioned by a government order in May 2010.
The ruling SP and the BSP appear to be on a collision course over Mayawati's dream park which was unveiled on October 14, 2011. Soon after coming to power, Akhilesh had announced that the vast vacant spaces lying unused in the memorials built during Mayawati's tenure would be used for public purposes. He had reasoned that hundreds of crores of rupees in government funds had been spent on these parks and memorials dedicated to Dalit leaders. Initially, he said hospitals and schools could be opened in these memorials. In May, his government announced that it would use the memorials for marriages and cultural programmes.
Even as the tug of war over the park continues, the chairman and CEO of Noida Authority, Rama Raman told TOI that there is a little work that remains to be finished after which the park will be opened. "Some work like developing public utilities needs to be completed. Even though entry would be free, people will have to pay a nominal fee for accessing the area where statues have been constructed," Raman said.
The Times Of India
Govt in favour of quota in higher judiciary
NEW DELHI: The government seems to be in agreement with Chief Justice of India-designate P Sathasivam
on having reservation in the higher judiciary.
In a reflection of the UPA government's stand on the issue, a top law ministry source said, "The judiciary must reflect upon the need for wider representation, as all segments should be represented." However, he said SC/ST reservations were something the judiciary decided.
In his interviews to the media a few days ago, Justice Sathasivam had said that OBCs, SCs/STs and other minorities should have more representation in the higher judiciary.
"We have to give representation to OBCs, SCs/STs and other minorities in the appointment of judges to high courts and the Supreme Court. Though there is no reservation rule, the selection or appointing authority must keep this in mind. In a country like ours, where different communities, cultures are there, we have to give some latitude to them and fill up those pores," Justice Sathasivam had said.
The CJI-designate was of the opinion that no new law was required for this. "All appointments should be made on merit. But at the same time, because of the nature of our country, many people at the bottom level, they have to come up. We have to give them some representation. If they satisfy minimum requirements, you can consider those candidates," he had said.
The government, however, is not keen on giving a fixed tenure to the CJI, which again Justice Sathasivam had advocated. The top law ministry source said that unlike bureaucracy, there was no requirement for a fixed tenure to CJI on the grounds of continuity of policy. Any new CJI would be as effective, and by giving a fixed tenure, it would be denial of opportunity to other deserving judges.
"The government has not given a thought to that," the law ministry source said, and added that it would require amending the Constitution. The government is also in favour of more transparency in the functioning of the judiciary. The law ministry is already working towards recording of all court proceedings.
The Times Of India
Hostelites starve while govt college admin, warden lock horns
TRICHY: An alleged war of ego between the administration of the Musiri Government Arts College and its hostel wardens has led to a near starvation of about 50 students as the hostel mess has not functioned since the college opened for this academic year.
The students who stay away from their homes depend on the hostel food and when it was not reopened on Monday despite assurances given by the hostel warden, the angry students blocked the road at M Puthupatti Kizhakku village, some 4.5km from Musiri.
Local tahsildar Jayanthi, after holding negotiations between the students and the hostel wardens reprimanded the college administration for letting a petty problem spiral in to a public protest.
"I have warned to the college administration to sort out their problems, and start the hostel mess from Wednesday, if not complied, I will report the mmatter to the collector," Jayanthi said.
The problem was that the most of the students belonged to the SC/ST community who are eligible for a scholarship of Rs7000, wanted the hostel warden to adjust the hostel bills against this amount.
For this arrangement, the principal has to release the scholarship fund towards the hostel fee but he was delaying the process.
The existing acting principal S Marutham finally made a cheque for Rs40,000 on Tuesday night.
"For lunch the agitating students were given biscuits by the revenue department," said revenue inspector Palanivel.
The Times Of India
Dalit memorials to lose 90% staff
LUCKNOW: After state government announcement of 'rational' use of accommodation and office space inside dalit memorials, here's another blow to the Bahujan Samaj Party and its followers. The state government plans to prune workforce engaged in maintaining the memorials built under the Mayawati regime. In a recent meeting of the memorial committee, bylaws for appointment of employees in memorials has been amended.
'Rationalising' the manpower at the dalit memorials will result in 90% of them being sacked, including 1,317 general cleaners, two janitors, 19 maintenance, operating and cleaning staffers for golf carts, 903 special workers for cleaning spittoons and toilets, 95 for cleaning fountains, 24 lawn mower operators, laundry assistants, sculptors, bronze polishers and 100 appointed especially to ring bells, among others.
In the new list of 565 staffers sanctioned for the Lucknow memorials by a high powered trimming committee in the government, there's a clear attempt to retrench the staff. The little greenery there is in the memorials, for example, will now be tended to by a team of under 150 gardeners, instead of 525 earlier. Similarly, most of the 42 cooks will also need to look for employment elsewhere. That's besides the decision to open the memorials for "public use" as in weddings and celebrations.
Ostensibly, the numbers have been trimmed because the posts were created without rationale and adequate provisions in the existing law, permitting these appointments. For example, as many as 5,788 persons were divided into 90 categories, ranging from cooks to workers specialising in marble and sandstone polishing, respectively, deputed for duty at the 14 dalit memorials in the state. A supervisor, posted at one dalit memorial in Lucknow said, "Most persons appointed for maintaining the memorials do not discharge duties as they were appointed for. Hospitality staff, for instance, doubles up as cleaners at the memorials. Some staff has also been hired by serving ministers at their official residence."
A senior official said the committee to examine the proposal for rationalising the use of memorials and the people working in them said agencies like Lucknow Development Authority and UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam prepared a seven-volume document on the manpower needed to maintain memorials but failed to explain the logic for creating the posts. The report suggests 42 posts were created by the "initiative" of the LDA vice chairman during the BSP regime.
The retrenched staff, however, will not be rendered jobless. Officials confirmed arrangements have been made to appoint all categories of workers at government guest houses maintained by the Estate and Tourism departments. In addition, services like maintenance of office equipment will also be outsourced.
Meanwhile, the Estate department may soon get the responsibility of allotting the residential and office space in dalit memorials while the ownership of all administrative, residential blocks and open spaces inside the memorials will remain with the smarak samiti. Official sources confided that a proposal to this effect, prepared by the smarak samiti which is headed by principal secretary of housing department Sadakant, was being considered by the state government. The logic is that State Property department has the expertise and resources to handle the responsibility. Sadakant could not be contacted despite repeated efforts, estate properties officer, Raj Kishore Yadav said he was not aware of any such order. Officials at Lucknow Development Authority who are a part of the smarak samiti refrained from commenting.
News monitor by Girish Pant
ARUN KHOTE
PMARC
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