Controversial Made Snana issue raised at monthly SC/ST meet

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 4, 2012: The controversial Made Snana issue was raised at the monthly SC/ST grievance meeting held in the SP’s office today by Shekhar, a Dalit leader and CPI worker from Belthangady, who urged the police to remind the government that the Dalits want a ban to be imposed on the Made Snana ritual.

Stating that the police department knows nothing about the government’s policy on this issue, SP Abhishek Goyal assured the Dalits that the department will send a letter to the government authorities, seeking clarification on the issue.

 

SC/ST representative Mahesh voiced his concerns regarding rising cases of eve teasing, murder, and rape in rural areas in general and Dharmasthala in particular. Responding to this issue, Mr. Goyal said that it is impossible for the police to patrol rural areas 100 percent, especially in places where houses are isolated. Nearly 33% of the posts are still vacant in police stations, he added.

Regarding eve teasing in rural areas, he said that local people must be the culprits. He urged girls and their families to lodge complaints, adding that the police will take immediate action on the culprits. If the girls feel embarrassed to lodge police complaints, educational institutions can step forward and report even teasing incidents so that the police can take action.

Since the meeting was held at 9:30 a.m., instead of the usual 11:00 a.m., many people arrived late and complained that the police had not communicated the change of timings. Dalit leader Vishwanath, who had come all the way from Bantwal, complained that they should have been informed about the change in timings well in advance. The Dalit leaders who arrived late requested ASP Anuchet to hold the meeting once again, but was told that it is not possible.