In a survey conducted by the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF), it was shockingly found that many Dalit panchayat presidents in the state were not even allowed a chair in their offices. The survey found that in 22 out of the 386 panchayats surveyed, Dalit presidents were not provided chairs.
The survey which was conducted in 24 districts of the state found that many Dalit panchayat presidents were not even allowed to hoist the national flag. In some cases, the panchayat presidents were not even allowed access to the local body office and in some cases, they were not given assess to documents.
While speaking to media persons after releasing the report on Thursday, TNUEF’s K Samuel Raj who spearheaded the survey said, “The outcome of the survey is shocking and sad. Panchayat presidents are not even allowed to sit in chairs and they are not allowed to hoist the national flag when the country is all set to celebrate its 75th Independence. Such a problem prevails in 20 panchayats.”
This story was originally published in deccanherald.com. Read the full story here