Dalit bodies’ hartal today

Around 30 Dalit organisations in the State have come together to organise a dawn-to-dusk hartal on Monday to protest against what they see as attempts at dilution of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the police action against Dalit agitators in north India on April 2. Although leading political parties have not endorsed the hartal call, the Muslim Youth League (MYL), youth wing of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Welfare Party and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have announced support for the hartal.

Talking to reporters at Kottayam on Sunday, Dalit Action Council convener M. Geethanandan said the issues at stake were so serious that they could scorch the entire country.

KSRTC seeks protection

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has sought police protection to operate normal services. Kerala Private Bus Operators’ Federation also has announced that it would operate normal bus services. The Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti (KVVES) general secretary T. Nazirudeen has also rejected the hartal call and announced the organisation’s decision to keep shops open across the State. Federation of Indian Trade Unions (FITU) State committee has announced support for the hartal.

Kerala Engineering College Managements’ Association said though the Association sympathised with the hartal call, engineering colleges all over the State would have to function normally as portions were yet to be completed and model examinations were already on.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Red Flag has decided to observe Monday as ‘black day’ to protest against the police firing on Dalit agitators.