Dalits Media watch
News Updates 02.07.12
Dalits seek legislation to stop land grabbers - Deccan Herald
Half of SC/ST teaching posts unfilled in Central varsities - The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3592180.ece
'Cops misuse atrocity cases' - Deccan Herald
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261097/cops-misuse-atrocity-cases.html
'Land for burial ground soon in Madikeri' - Deccan Herald
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261081/land-burial-ground-soon-madikeri.html
Deccan Herald
Dalits seek legislation to stop land grabbers
July 2, 2012
DC For love, they had to give up their lands. Nine years ago, two dalit brothers – Sakthivel and Andvan from Erode, had fallen in love with caste Hindu girls and eloped with them.
The two couples are now happily married, but they had to 'sacrifice' their 12-acre land in their native village Ottanchathiram, that has been usurped by the caste Hindus.
And since they value their lives more than their land, they have not tried to return to the village to reclaim their property.
This is just one among many tragic stories that were told by Dalit participants at a recently organised meeting in Madurai.
The forum for dalit victims of land rights violation organised by 'Evidence', an NGO was well attended by prominent activists and lawyers. The victims appealed to the government to enact a legislation to safeguard the lands belonging to dalits and protecting pan human lands as well.
"It is shocking to hear that the lands of the dalits, bought with the sweat and blood of hard labour are being forcefully taken away from them," said Mr Krishnasamy, income-tax commissioner, speaking at the forum. He also lamented that 'caste Hindus' were exploiting the illiteracy of the dalits.
Mr Kadhir revealed that 1,84,148 acres of panchami lands had been encroached across the state, despite seven Acts being in force to protect such lands from land grabbers.
The forum also passed a resolution seeking a separate legislation for protection of lands belonging to dalits and also sought the effective functioning of the panchami land commissionarate. Retired IAS officer P.Sivakami was among the participants of the forum.
The Hindu
Half of SC/ST teaching posts unfilled in Central varsities
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3592180.ece
Rahi Gaikwad
In the filled slots, SCs constitute just 12% against the stipulated 15% and STs 5% instead of 7.5% Among the ills that plague the Indian higher education system is the continued poor stake of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in it. Year on year, the huge backlog of vacancies in teaching positions in SC/ST categories remains a constant concern with little change in its position.
Nearly half the teaching positions for SCs and STs in Central Universities are still unfilled. According to the data provided by the government of India in December 2011 to a Right to Information query by Lucknow-based activist Mahendra Pratap Singh, 48.5 per cent of posts in these two categories in 24 Central varsities were vacant during 2010-2011. The stipulated quota for SCs and STs in Central institutions is 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively.
For the year, 2010-211, the total backlog in SC category at the entry-level position of Lecturer was 341 out of 740 required posts. Thus, 46 per cent of these posts were unfilled. In the ST category, 197 or 53 per cent of posts were vacant out of the required posts of 369.
Under-representation
The huge gap points to the under-representation of these marginalised communities in educational institutions. The SCs constitute 12 per cent of the total filled positions in Central Universities and STs constitute five per cent of the filled posts.
Climbing up to the prestigious ranks of Reader and Professor, their share gets alarmingly dismal. Over 84 per cent of posts for Readers in the SC-ST category were vacant in 2010-2011. And, over 92 per cent Professor's positions in these categories are vacant.
The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has consistently had the poorest record of clearing the backlog. There was a whopping 59.7 per cent of SC and ST vacancies in lecturer positions itself in 2010-2011.
A BHU source confirmed the situation remained the same in 2012 as well, since the University had not undertaken a recruitment drive in the past few months to clear this backlog.
In fact, the current position is as bad if not worse, compared to previous years. As per the 2007-08 figures, obtained by The Hindu under RTI, SC-ST vacancy in BHU for the lecturer position was at 52 per cent.
"The problem," remarked Subhash Lakhotia, Professor Emeritus at BHU, "is that candidates are often not found suitable." — a reason cited across the board for poor implementation of the reservation policy.
"The university has to consider certain minimal requirement. Many teaching positions are for specialised candidates. The quality of degrees our education system gives is not [of a very high standard]. So, although candidates meet the eligibility criteria, they are not found suitable. A large number of open posts are also vacant," Mr. Lakhotia told The Hindu on the phone.
"The fallacy lies in the system. The graduates coming out today are unemployable," he pointed out.
The overall concerns over standards notwithstanding, the approach to implementation of reservation is complicated by a notional linking of the reservation policy with impoverishment of "quality" of education.
"I would not like reservation anywhere. Higher education is about quality. The government says launch a special drive to fill posts; it is in their interest. But in the process you lose out on quality," remarked Mr. Lakhotia.
"Reservation has made things worse," remarked a source from BHU. "You don't get quality people. SC/ST candidates are competent. The ones from Maharashtra and the northeast are good. Tezpur University is doing very well. That's because their graduates return to their native place."
Another reason cited by BHU was the increase in the retirement age to 65 years (as per 2006 UGC recommendations). "For some years, no one retired and then there were mass retirements creating a sudden vacancy. In Banaras, availability of housing and other facilities is a major problem. So no one wants to take up jobs here," an official remarked.
Making matters worse, the quota policy itself is looked upon as a benevolent act towards the lower sections, rather than an affirmative and necessary provision to ensure the fair share of SCs and STs in education, long denied due to the caste system.
"Let me point out," said a BHU professor in a letter to the BHU Vice-Chancellor, obtained through RTI by Mr. Singh, "that we are aware of our social responsibilities and compulsions which implies some reservation to be done for [the] weaker section."
Arguing for "phased reservation," he wrote that the university must ensure that "the weaker sections get advantage at the entry level through phased reservation, but at the same time the academic profile/glamour/reputation of the university remains intact."
'Centre of excellence'
One argument put forth by the BHU is also that it is considered a "centre of excellence." Therefore, it should be excluded from the reservation policy.
Dr. Vikas Gupta from the Delhi University said that filling posts roster-wise would help ease the backlog. That entailed marking posts in departments as per each category and so on.
"Roster implementation takes care of many of the [gaps] in filling reserved posts. Every department has to maintain a roster of posts to ensure full reservation and avoid manipulation. Rosters should be made public by all universities."
According to Mr. Gupta, earlier universities in their advertisements would mention only the number of reserved posts without specifying which post was for which community — SC/ST/OBC. So, a candidate did not know which post she/he was applying for.
This way, universities "got the free ground to keep people confused." Everyone is applying for everything. After the interview, the decision is made [on selection for a particular department post]. "This is unfair. This is how it is manipulated," Mr. Gupta said.
He remarked the situation was changing with universities going in for the roster system.
Despite, repeated attempts, the University Grants Commission did not respond to The Hindu's queries on the issue.
Deccan Herald
'Cops misuse atrocity cases'
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261097/cops-misuse-atrocity-cases.html
Mangalore, July 1, 2012, DHNS:
Truth reveals during interrogation, says SP at SC/ST meet
The question on misuse of atrocity cases by Dalits who involve in group clashes was raised at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe monthly grievance meet at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Mangalore on Sunday.
Speaking at the meeting, Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samiti leader Shekhar Laila alleged the police of misusing Dalit atrocity cases. In one of the recent incidents, when Bhajarang Dal members filed a case after a group clash, the police registered the case under Dalit Atrocity Act, he said.
Responding to the complaint, Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal said that it is the responsibility of the police to register the case as per the statement of the Dalits who are part of the group clash.
The truth is revealed in the course of interrogation and it is for the same reason 'B' report is submitted in 50 per cent of Dalit atrocity cases. "I have no objection if a resolution is taken in the meeting deciding not to book group clash cases under Dalit Atrocity Act," he said.
However, other Dalit leaders did not favour to take the resolution. Rather they insisted the police to take action in accordance with the law.
One of the Dalit leaders complained that a few schools and colleges are violating the government's order and are involved in collecting donation from Dalits. "Donation is collected in the name of paying salary to the guest lecturers. An institution went to the extent of failing a student who opposed the demand for donation," he said.
The SP assured of bringing the issue to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Director of Public Instructions. Action will be taken if the complaint is filed on specific cases, said Goyal.
DSS leader S P Anand raised the issue of improper distribution of 22.75 fund to the beneficiaries.
SC order
In response to a query, Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate Inspector Ananthpadmanabh informed that as per the Supreme Court's order, there is no provision to provide SC ST certificate to those who have migrated to Karnataka from other states. They could not be offered with the benefits of the State government based on their caste certificate from the State they hail from. However, they can avail the facilities from the Central government through the caste certificate given by the Central government, he informed.
Shekhar Laila questioned the SP as to why the issue of a youth, by name Nagarjuna Sarangimutt who roamed around in Kuthlur claiming that he would become a naxal with the help of 15 supporters, was not considered seriously. In reply, the SP clarified that the issue was not taken lightly. The youth was arrested and an investigation was carried out in the higher level which revealed that he hails from Koppal. He has interviewed the naxals and was roaming around carrying their photographs.
Deccan Herald
'Land for burial ground soon in Madikeri'
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261081/land-burial-ground-soon-madikeri.html
Madikeri, July 1, 2012, DHNS:
SC/ST review meet held
In the backdrop of lack of burial ground for the SC/ST members, Deputy Commissioner (in charge) K M Chandre Gowda said that measure will be taken to sanction land for the burial ground. He was speaking at SC/ST review meeting organised by the police department.
He said the government will issue a notification to legalise the houses which were constructed on the government land under 94 C, soon. After the circular is notified, the poor can legalise their houses.
taluk-level meeting will be organised in Virajpet to solve the problems faced by the SC/ST members.
Superintendent of Police Manjunath Annigeri said suitable measures will be taken to reclaim the land belonging to SC/ST being encroached by others. There are complaints on the sale of illicit liquor in several tribal haadi. The police can initiate action after getting the written complaint.
Ex servicemean H B Ganesh said "there is lack of burial grounds in Aimangala, Chembebellur, Hudikeri, Arameri, Kadanoor and other villages. The district administration should earmark land for the purpose."
Dalit leader Sannayya said Virajpet taluk office should issue caste, income and other certificates.
"Several paddy fields are unutilised in Somwarpet. Such fields should be distributed among the SC/ST beneficiaries," said Jayappa from Somwarpet.
Budakattu Sangha President B R Chandru said "BPL ration cards are not distributed to the genuine tribal beneficiaries, Without the ration card and voters ID, the tribals are finding it difficult to avail facilities from the government."
Ramakrishna said "tribals do not have title deeds in Sinchona Haadi. The tribal houses are in deplorable condition." Zilla Panchayat vice-president Kaveri Social Welfare Officer L G Ganti and others were present.
.Arun Khote
On behalf of
Dalits Media Watch Team
(An initiative of "Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre-PMARC")
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Peoples Media Advocacy & Resource Centre- PMARC has been initiated with the support from group of senior journalists, social activists, academics and intellectuals from Dalit and civil society to advocate and facilitate Dalits issues in the mainstream media. To create proper & adequate space with the Dalit perspective in the mainstream media national/ International on Dalit issues is primary objective of the PMARC.
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