The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Movement, P.Sampath, on Wednesday said that obsession over caste was prevalent in the State despite the long history of the untouchability eradication movement in this soil. It existed in educational institutions also.
He told reporters here that the dominant caste forces utilised the caste hierarchy to achieve their ambitions. It had led to a situation wherein the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people continue to suffer suppression and disgrace at the hands of the dominant forces. The TNUEM, founded in 2007 had spearheaded various agitations to bring relief to the suppressed in issues like Uthapuram issue, honour killing and reservation for Arunthathiyars.
Realising the fact that renaissance could not be achieved unless caste obsession was totally wiped out, the TNUEM had joined hands with several organisations and outfits working for the uplift of SCs and STs to take forward the movement to achieve caste-less society, he added.
So it would be organising a State-level conference here from August 15 to 17 where prominent SC, ST leaders and enthusiasts would take part.
The All India general secretary, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sitaram Yechury, would be addressing the public meeting at Thilakar Thidal here on August 17, being held as part of the three-day conference, he said.