COIMBATORE: Following an article published in the Times of India on August 24, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) issued a notice to Coimbatore district collector K Rajamani on Monday seeking a detailed report within three weeks on a woman dalit panchayat president being discriminated by an AIADMK member in J Krishnapuram village panchayat.
K Saridha, 34, the president of J Krishnapuram village panchayat, was abused and prevented from functioning independently.
READ ALSO: Dalit woman panchayat chief alleges discrimination
She lodged a complaint with the Negamam police against a non-dalit man identified as Usilamani alias Balasubramanian, who harassed her.
Saridha also alleged that she had to stand up when Balasubramanian entered the panchayat office on August 19 and he discriminated against her based on caste.
She mentioned that Balasubramanian threatened her that her name board should not be hung in the office.
Following the complaint, Ara Arularasu, superintendent of police, Coimbatore district, instructed Pollachi sub-division DSP KG Sivakumar, who conducted an inquiry with Saridha.
Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Balasubramanian under sections 3 (1) (m,r,s) of the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act.
Contradicting to Saridha’s complaint, J Krishnapuram panchayat clerical staff, who belonged to scheduled caste, told the police that the panchayat president and Balasubramanian did not visit the panchayat office on August 19.
A police officer said, “After assuming charge as president of the panchayat, Saridha sacked more than 12 temporary sanitary workers, who were recruited by former president, who is from the AIADMK. Saridha belonged to the DMK and she deliberately sacked them. Following this, the workers approached Balasubramanian and he filed an RTI before the village panchayat. Balasubramanian filed more than 10 RTI applications and sought information.”
Saridha’s husband abused Balasubramaniam for filing an RTI petition.
“We are conducting an inquiry with the sanitary workers and panchayat clerical staff. Further investigations were on,” said SP Ara Arularasu.
K Saridha, 34, the president of J Krishnapuram village panchayat, was abused and prevented from functioning independently.
READ ALSO: Dalit woman panchayat chief alleges discrimination
She lodged a complaint with the Negamam police against a non-dalit man identified as Usilamani alias Balasubramanian, who harassed her.
Saridha also alleged that she had to stand up when Balasubramanian entered the panchayat office on August 19 and he discriminated against her based on caste.
She mentioned that Balasubramanian threatened her that her name board should not be hung in the office.
Following the complaint, Ara Arularasu, superintendent of police, Coimbatore district, instructed Pollachi sub-division DSP KG Sivakumar, who conducted an inquiry with Saridha.
Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Balasubramanian under sections 3 (1) (m,r,s) of the SC/ST (prevention of atrocities) Act.
Contradicting to Saridha’s complaint, J Krishnapuram panchayat clerical staff, who belonged to scheduled caste, told the police that the panchayat president and Balasubramanian did not visit the panchayat office on August 19.
A police officer said, “After assuming charge as president of the panchayat, Saridha sacked more than 12 temporary sanitary workers, who were recruited by former president, who is from the AIADMK. Saridha belonged to the DMK and she deliberately sacked them. Following this, the workers approached Balasubramanian and he filed an RTI before the village panchayat. Balasubramanian filed more than 10 RTI applications and sought information.”
Saridha’s husband abused Balasubramaniam for filing an RTI petition.
“We are conducting an inquiry with the sanitary workers and panchayat clerical staff. Further investigations were on,” said SP Ara Arularasu.
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