DPI plans agitation

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 24. The Dalit Panthers of India will soon launch an agitation to ensure that free and fair elections are held in villages where Dalits were prevented from filing nominations, the party leader, Mr. R. Tirumavalavan, said today.

While acts of violence in elections had to be condemned, the happenings at Pappapatti, Keeripatti and Nattarmangalam had no parallel. It was strange that the State Election Commission was touting lame excuses instead of intervening in the matter.

``In these villages the Dalits were prevented from even filing their nominations. How can democracy reach these villages'', he asked and expressed surprise that none of the established political parties had considered it worthwhile to highlight this as a major issue.

Mr. Tirumavalavan claimed that the DPI's support base had grown in the northern districts, particularly in Perambalur, Cuddalore and Villupuram and this was proved in the recent local bodies polls. The party won in 20 municipal and 33 town panchayat wards. The elections proved that the PMK was only ``chaff'' and did not add value to the DMK combine, he said.

The victory was achieved by his party in the face of ``unprecedented violence and booth capturing''. The Dalits were not allowed to vote in many places, he charged. Citing examples of Marukkalampatti (Dharmapuri) and Veliambakkam (Kancheepuram), he said they were attacked because they contested in non-reserved wards.

The SEC should not be reduced to a mere election holding authority. It should have its own police force with a para- military status to ensure free and fair elections. ``When you raise an army to fight a war once in 50 years, what is wrong in having a force to take care of elections every five years?''

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Section  : Southern States
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