In an effort to highlight the nature and prevalence of this endemic social crisis in which the human rights of Dalits are being wantonly violated, a National Public Hearing is being held on April 18 and 19 at the World University Service Centre, Spur Tank Road, Chennai. Between 40 to 50 cases from 11 states will be presented to the Jury on atrocities, discrimination and continuous forms of untouchability against Dalits.

These states include instances from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The cases will cover issues like land and related issues, wage inequality and related issues, the forms of untouchability practiced, manual scavenging, Dalits and education, Dalits and reservation, Dalit women, Devadasi women, child servitude, bonded labour, violence against Dalits by caste Hindus, by the state, discrimination within the Church against Dalits, discrimination by the state on the basis of religion, untouchability practiced on elected Dalit representatives, effectiveness of the National Commission for SC /STs as a human rights mechanism, the implementation of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989) and Rules (1995) and some others.

Witnesses to each case would be present to testify and jury prosecutors familiar with the case will present the case to one of two jury benches comprising eminent justices, advocates, and others with proven commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.

After hearing the cases on the April 18 and 19, the jury will issue their verdict on the afternoon of April 19. The verdict will then be used as a platform for proposing time-bound recommendations of action to the state and central governments. Wherever appropriate, the organising body of the NPH, namely the NCDHR, will initiate legal interventions on behalf of certain cases.

The Public Hearing is being organised by the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights NCDHR ), a collective body of Dalit activists, academics and social action groups in solidarity with human rights, women, labour and other people‘s organisations across the country. Formed in 1998, the Campaign is committed to struggling for the rights of Dalits, abolishing untouchability and the implementation of the SC/ST Act.

It is further important that the NPH is not simply considered as one organised by the NCDHR but is also supported by several organisations, movements, trade unions, individuals and institutions all over the country. We therefore request that each of you kindly support the campaign by post or email. Your communication must reach us by the first week of April or so. Please attend the hearing and report at the NPH‘s secretariate situated at: C/O Inter Church Service Agency ( ICSA), 93,Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600 008, Tel: 044 - 826 1905

Contact: Henri Tiphagne, working Secretary and director, People’s Watch - Tamil Nadu, Madurai 625 002, E.Mail: [email protected]

Name:_________________________

Organisation:__________________

Address/email:_________________

This was a shocking bit of news for students belonging to disadvantaged sections (SC/ST/BC).

Hence the formation by Dalits and other progressive organisations of the Reservation Protection Forum(RPF) to campaign for the continuance of Reservation. We strongly feel that even before OBC’s, Women, Minorities could raise the question of reservation, within the given scope of constitutional provisions and the Mandal Commission recommendations, the government has struck at the roots of the concept.

This will give rise to a major crisis that will result in disadvantaged sections being effectively kept out of both academic institutions and the public sphere.

We see it as conspiracy of right wing forces. In this context we strongly feel that,fight against this at various levels is necessary at the national level. With this aim, the RPF has started its agitation in Hyderabad on the University Campus. We have gone on hunger strike, had a press meet, effigy burning, etc. We are getting in touch with civil rights organizations, student unions, the faculty, the non-teaching staff, Dalit and other progressive organisations at local and national level. We are getting in touch with the political parties and their leaders. Lobbying and protests have begun.

Our Demands: the immediate withdrawal, by the UGC/HRD ministry of the D.O./circular since it amounts to a threat to our basic right to education; the implementation of the Mandal Commission Report in all fields; the effective implementation of the reservation policy within public institutions and enterprises; the introduction of reservations in the private sector also.

Reservation Protection Forum, Hyderabad

[email protected]

Emails from individuals and groups can be extremely helpful to get the needed leverage for a just verdict in what is now referred to as the Manjolai incident. Please circulate this information promptly and encourage those in your network to sign on to the letter below. Also, please Email copies of your letters to us so that we can inform the concerned office how many appeal letters were sent to Justice Mohan in all.

You will find below: A sample letter to Justice Mohan, the sitting Judge and news coverage on the incident itself. We appreciate your prompt cooperation and solidarity.

Sincerely,

Roja and Prince Singh,

Dalit Solidarity Forum USA

70 Maple Avenue, Morristown,

NJ 07960 [email protected],

SAMPLE LETTER (via EMAIL)

(Just copy the letter, sign off with your name or organization’s and email it to the two email addresses given immediately (it takes less than 2 minutes).

If you have the time and want to personalize it feel free to do so. Then send a separate copy of your letter to [email protected])

To,

Justice Mohan Commission of

Enquiry,

1st Floor, Coovam House,

Next to MLA Hostel,

Omandoorar Government

Gardens,Chennai, 600 002.

Via email:

The Honorable Justice Mohan:

Justice Mohan Commission of

Enquiry

C/o the Chief Justice of

Madras High Court at the

following Email address:

[email protected]

C/o the Chief Secretary to the

Government of Tamil Nadu

at - [email protected]

Honorable Justice Mohan:

In July last year seventeen people, many of them Dalits, were killed in an incident of police brutality while protesting the arrest of 652 tea plantation workers in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. Among those killed were two women and a child. We understand that several protestors, including political leaders, press personnel also suffered severe head injuries. We write to express our deep concern about the brutal police action against mostly Dalit plantation workers in this incident. Following the incident, under your leadership, a judicial commission of inquiry began and hearings before the commission are currently in progress. The seriousness of this case needs no reiteration to you as the honorable sitting judge. As you review the culpability of the state in its use of excessive force against unarmed protestors, we wish to bring the following appeal to you.

We urge you, as sitting judge in this hearing, to take the necessary steps to punish those responsible for the attack and provide full compensation to the victims’ families. By this we mean:

1. Prosecute the guilty officers, including the negligent District Collector and Commissioner of Police.

2. Award adequate compensation (10 lakh Rupees) to those injured and to those who lost family members.

The appointment of judicial commissions has become almost a routine procedure following caste clashes in a few states. The Justice Mohan Commission, for example, was appointed by the state government in July 1997 to look into recurring caste clashes and suggest measures to prevent them. You will agree,

Honorable Judge that government-appointed commissions in Tamil Nadu have had a history of awarding verdicts in favor of the state and the police. This is your opportunity to play an important role in protecting human rights and put to rest the popular criticisms: that every commission of inquiry has gone against Dalit people and their interests; and that retired judges who are appointed always toe the line of the government.

As you know, India is not an exotic colony anymore and the world’s eyes behold her with intrigue. People around the world are watching the developments of these hearings with interest. At this opportune moment in time it is only becoming of the commission to render justice to the vulnerable Dalits in this case and send an unequivocal message to the country and the world that human rights matter to India. We thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Your name and/or organisations