Dalit Sthree Sakthi organized, Ratha Yatra, a marathon “Campaign for Accessing the Rights of Dalit Women and Girl Children” tosensitize all concerned and to focus the plight of dalits. In the era of globalization the situation of dalits turned from bad to worse and the worst affected among them are, dalit women and dalit girl children. The country had undergone several systemic changes with the advent of economic reforms in the early 90’s. If these reforms had a symmetrical impact on the upper echelons of society it’s pathetic to note its impact on dalits had been asymmetrical and disastrous destroying the social, economic and cultural facets of dalits. The major impact of this new trends is the steep rise of landless and jobless dalits, who undoubtedly are the most exploited and helpless strata of the society. Buoyed by the policies of the international treaties, the public sector banks have been shying away from granting loans, thereby drastically slowing down the fund-flow to the dalits. Certain administrative policies by governments have dried up jobs in the agricultural and rural sector putting the lives of dalits in a spot, especially the dalit women. 90% of the dalit women are dependent on agriculture sector. The impact of all these policies can be clearly seen on the dalit girl children.
The campaign was organized from 5th – 14th November 2011. It commenced from Visakhapatnam on 5th November 2011 at 11am from Ambedkar statue, Dhaba Gardens.
The campaign was flagged of by Mr. K. Sasidhar, IAS, VUDA Vice-Chairperson. Addressing the gathering the Vice Chairperson has appreciated DSS for taking up the campaign as there is every need for building awareness to the dalit women and girl children on their rights. He applauded the 60 dalit women participating in the Ratha Yatra for their commitment. He stressed the need for the dalit women to acquire knowledge of their rights and strive for accessing them.
Convener-DSS detailing about the objective of the campaign has said that it is the duty of the government to bring in awareness as per the constitution and as they have filed to do so, DSS has taken up the responsibility. This campaign will be taken up in 7 districts covering all towns, cities, mandals and villages enroute and create awareness among the dalit women and girl children on their rights such as SC,ST (PoA) Act, Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, Free & Compulsory Education Act, MGNREGA etc. The valedictory meeting will be held at
Hyderabad on 14th November, wherein all the officials of concerned departments will participate. Speaking on the occasion the Convener explained about the vulnerable situation in the anganwadi centres, government schools, social welfare hostels and residential schools. She said that the study report of DSS done on the situation of dalit girl children, anganwadi centres, government schools and social welfare hostels will also be shared. She also said that the 60 members’ yatra (journey) team are being accommodated in 3 campaign vehicles decorated with posters, banners for this 10 days yatra.
The campaign vehicles with flexi banners, sound system and 60 members team in it has conveyed the voice and vehemence of the dalit women. Similarly posters have been affixed in all the 7 districts and thousands of pamphlets explaining the deplorable conditions of dalit women and girl children were distributed en-route. The team and the volunteers were
enthusiastic and in high spirits throughout the journey and even in the late nights. Though the journey was tedious with stress and strain, they continuously travelled for a total of 4567 kilometers starting from Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad via East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Ranga Reddy districts. Papa Rao – Senior Advocate and Secretary of Fisher men Association and other organizations have also participated in the launch of the campaign.
Starting from day one, till the concluding day, in all the public meetings and press meets held, the DSS state team comprising of the Convener, Program Manager, State Coordinator, District Co-ordinators and Divisional Organizers have given speeches in an elaborate manner on the thematic areas.
To bring in awareness to the dalit women on their vulnerability, oppression, inequality which they are facing and the reasons for their poverty. Similarly to strengthen the dalit women movement we need to intervene right from childhood stage. Likewise we need to garner the support of the dalit men and other positive forces. Every dalit women need to have a broad approach instead of thinking for one’s own family needs. We are the most skilful and strong masses in the society. Lack of awareness of our rights is hindrance. Unity and collective effort is much more needed. There is every need of us coming together irrespective of caste, class and gender and play a collective battle to achieve our constitutional rights.
Eradication of poverty and inequality is the constitutional responsibility, since the state is not doing so; DSS has initiated this type of campaign.
The dalit women unable know about the Acts meant for them such as SC,ST Act, DV Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, NREGA etc. Lack of awareness is leading to improper implementation of these Acts and denial of entitlements.
DSS has condemned the government’s stand of aligning NREGA with Agricultural sector and has propagated in a wider way on the danger of NREGA implementation going into the hands of dominant community landlords, as already they are opposing NREGA since they have lost control over the dalits due to it.
To overcome the present situation of illiteracy among the dalit women and their confinement to the houses, we need to put efforts right from the childhood stage of dalit girl children.
To provide qualitative childhood to dalit girl children we need to provide them nutritious food, qualitative education, hygiene environment, violence free society, non discriminative conditions in the house as well as in the society.
Due to poverty the dalit girl child is being forced to ask only for minimal things such as the powdered food and an egg provided in the anganwadi centres, likewise for basic amenities such as drinking water, benches, class rooms and toilets in the schools. Further, the demand of the dalits is to provide minimum conducive environment in the hostels with protection from all sorts of dangers, including the rising incidents of sexual exploitation in these institutions. On the other side of the coin one can see the children of the dominant communities staying in AC houses, going by AC school buses and studying in AC class rooms.
Studying in such an oppressive, hostile environment with lot of disparities can a dalit girl child ever come on to the mainstream and become a doctor, an engineer, IAS and IPS though she has reservation
The plight of dalit girl children was explained by quoting many examples from the atrocity instances investigated by DSS such as cheating in the name of love, sexual exploitation by teachers and other staff, caste discrimination by teachers leading to suicides, rapes and abortions to minor girls with judicial orders etc. The parents of the girl children in particular and the dalit community in general were motivated to rise up to save dalit girl children by regularly monitoring these centres.
Long persisting problems like the vulnerable conditions in these centres without basic infrastructure such as class rooms, drinking water, toys, electricity facility, adequate teachers and other staff, toilets etc were explained. It was elaborated as to how when these issues are taken up with the district level authorities they express their helplessness and refer to the state level authorities, who when approached, in turn say they neither have requisite budget nor the requirement proposals sent by the districts. Thus the problem remains unattended due to utter neglect by the Government authorities.
Explaining about the constitutional rights and the budget, they were detailed about the SC Sub Plan, Tribal Sub Plan, the quantum of funds allocated at present; the various other entitlements we ought to get, etc. The people were enlightened that unless and until the dalit women get their due share in the budget a comprehensive approach for mainstreaming dalit women and girl children cannot be done.
The 1% communities which are holding the multi-national companies etc are being given 99% of the budgets and large quantum of land, whereas 99 % of remaining communities are being given mere 1% budget.
The perspective of the legislature, executive and the judiciary was clearly explained by quoting the examples and the strategies to overcome these hurdles were also detailed.
To overcome all these inequalities, oppression, discrimination there is every need for us to educate ourselves and start an agitation like the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in America.
Day I (5th November)
After the completion of launching, the Ratha yatra reached Nathavaram via Gajuvaka, Ankapalle, Tuni, Narsipatnam by garlanding the Ambedkar statues and addressing the gatherings. At Nathavaram the Ambedkar statue was garlanded and a rally was held up to the main centre, followed by a public meeting.
The SC, ST Employ Welfare Associations, Ambedkar Youth Associations, Local NGOs, Academicians, former panchyat raj leaders, Ambedkarites etc were involved in almost all the places including the press meets.
The women collectives have actively participated apart from organizing the meeting in their respective areas.
The Campaign team has stayed during the nights in the villages where atrocities have taken place.
Day II & III (6th & 7th November)
Kakinada: A press meet was held on 6th around 10.30 a.m. at Kakinada; both the print and
electronic media were briefed about the objective of the campaign and were also explained about the pathetic situation of the dalit women and girl children including the anganwadi centres, government schools and hostels by quoting the examples of the district.
Public meetings were organised at Annamghat Centre and Kunthidevipet of Kakinada and the Ambedkar statues were also garlanded.
A grand gala welcome was organized by the SC/ST Employees Associations, Ambedkar
Youth Associations etc followed by garlanding the Ambedkar statues and public meetings at Rajanagaram, Dosakayalapalle and Korukonda. Later awareness meeting was held at a Tribal Welfare Girls Hostel in Rajahmundry, wherein hundreds of girl students were addressed. There was a close interaction with the girls and many have expressed their views. They have also requested to organize these meets continuously.
Rajahmundry: A press meet was held on 7th around 9.30 a.m. at Ambedkar Bhavan,
followed by a rally until Ambedkar statue. The campaign team was again flagged off by Gada Laxman Swamy a freedom fighter and well known Ambedkarite. The SC/ST Employee Associations, Ambedkar youth associations have welcomed the campaign team in a big way.
Amalapuram: After coveringen-route mandal head quarters and villages such as Kadiyam, Pottilanka, Ravulapalem and Kothapeta, the campaign has reached Amalapuram and a public meeting was organized at Gadiaram centre. Later a rally was held until Buddha Bhavan and the Ambedkar statue was garlanded. The campaign
team proceeded to West Godavari district via Kodurupadu, Ambajipet, Razole and Sivakodu, wherein many public meetings were addressed apart from garlanding Ambedkar statues.
Narsapuram: Ambedkar statue at bus stand centre was garlanded followed by a public
meeting. The local Mandal Revenue Officer, Ex-MPP, other panchayat raj leaders have also participated and addressed the gathering. Then the campaign reached Madepalli via Seetharampuram, Palakollu, Atthili, Ganapavaram, Tadepalligudem, Bhimadolu etc after addressing the gatherings on the route.
Day IV & V (8th & 9th November)
Eluru: A press meet was organized around 10.00am on 8th at SC/ST Rights Protection
Association office followed by a public meeting at Ambedkar statue near old bus stand, Eluru. Many leaders like Mani Singh, Sudharshan (Teachers association), Santosh, Prasad (Cry), Baby Kumari (Spandana) and others have also participated.
The local organizations have arranged a team of drums and the whole town was alarmed with the sounds of the drums and the inspiring songs by the DSS cultural team.
Kaikalur: The Campaign entered Kaikalur of Krishna district via Lingarao gudem,
Sriparru, Kovvadalanka. The Ambedkar statue was garlanded and the gathering was addressed. Many people from the nearby villages have participated in the public meeting at Kaikalur. Later the team reached Idugullapalli via Mandavalli, Mudinepalli, Gudlavalleru, Pedana, Madaka, Kappaldoddi, Akulamannadu and Polavaram. Public meetings were held in all these places, Ambedkar statues garlanded. The response from the community was amazing and many Ambedkar associations, Panchayat raj leaders, Employ associations have also participated. Idugullapalli village is a place where the dalits were attacked by the dominant community people in the recent past. The Campaign team has made night stay in the village and the whole village has participated in the public meeting though it was held in the late night.
Machilipatnam: A press meet was organized at SC Welfare Hall around 10am on 9th morning. Later a public meeting was organized at Gudur where in the dalit women from nearby villages,
the local Panchayatraj leaders such as Naga Babu and others, Naga Raju –Senior Journalist, Gapala Krishna Gokhule – Buddist, Jakkula Ananda Babu – Secretary SC Welfare
Association and others have participated. The women collectives of the mandal have participated enthusiastically.
Vijayawada: The Campaign has reached Vijayawada via Nidumolu, Pamarru, Vuyyuru and Kankipadu. Meetings were held en–route and Ambedkar statues were garlanded. A press meet was organized at Press club in Vijayawada.
Day VI & VII (10th & 11th November)
Duggirala: The Campaign team reached Duggirala of Guntur district via Tadepalli, Mangalagiri, Pedavadlapudi. Public meetings were held in all these places and the Ambedkar statues were garlanded. The dalit women from the nearby the villages have participated apart from the local organizations and Ambedkar associations.
Tenali: The Ambedkar statue opposite railway station was garlanded followed by public meeting. The local organizations, Ambedkar youth associations, Jai Bheem youth association, Yanadhi association, SC,ST Railway employ association, Ambedkar mission and women collectives of various villages from the mandal have also participated.
Tsundur Raktha Kshetram:Tsundur is the place where 6 dalits were massacred in 1991 and the national level protest campaign against this atrocity impacted political scene in the country bringing about a number of consequences, including a dalit President of India. The trial of the case took a long time and only an year ago about 50 accused of dominant community were sentenced to imprisonment for life for the massacre.Thus Tsundur occupied a special place in the recent history of dalit struggles.The memoir of dalit victims of this village was named as Rakth Kshetram, meaning, the blood of the victims.
The Campaign team reached Tsundur via Pedaravur and Penukudurupadu villages after organising various meetings on the route. A rally was held in Tsundur followed by a public meeting. The whole Campaign team have paid their tribute on kneels in tribute of heroes of Tsundur who laid down their lives for the self respect of dalits at Raktha Kshetram. After the meeting the campaign team stayed in the village for the night.
Guntur: The campaign team reached Guntur via Brahmanakoduru, Chebrolu and Narakoduru, garlanding the Ambedkar statues en-route. A press meet was held at DSS Office Guntur around 11 am on 11th. Later a public meeting was held at Ambedkar statue, Lodge centre after garlanding the statue.
Piduguralla: The Campaign team reached Piduguralla via Sattenapalli. At Piduguralla the Ambedkar statue was garlanded and later public meeting was organized. Many women collectives from the nearby villages, local organizations and Ambedkar Youth associations have participated.
Machavaram: The Campaign team reached Machavaram via KG Padu, Pillutla and
Mallavolu. The Ambedkar statues were garlanded and public meetings were held on the route. A public meeting was held at Machavaram and many dalit women from the nearby villages, Ambedkar Youth Associations, Differently Abled Peoples Association have also participated.
Dachepalli: The Campaign team reached Dachepalli via Gangireddypallem and Brahmanapalli after addressing the gatherings en-route including Dachepalli.
Day VIII & IX (12th & 13th November)
Janavada: The Campaign team reached Janavada of Ranga Reddy district on the early hours of 12th. A rally was organized in the village, Ambedkar statue was garlanded followed by a public meeting.
Shankarpally: The Campaign team reached Shankarpally via Maharajpet, Mokila and
Prodhutur. Meetings were organized in the villages on the root apart from garlanding the Ambedkar statue. A press meet was held around 11am at Shankarpally. Later the Ambedkar statue was garlanded and a public meeting was organized. The local youth associations, MVF and many dalit women have participated.
Nawabpet: The Campaign team has reached Nawabpet via Dhobipet and Maithakhanguda. Meetings were organized in the villages on the route and Ambedkar Statues were garlanded. A public meeting was organized in Nawabpet after garlanding Ambedkar statue.
Vikarabad: The Campaign team has reached Vikarabad via Yellakonda, Ekmamidi and Kothagadi.
Public meetings were organized in all villages on the route. A press meet was held at Vikarabad and the representatives of various organizations including MVF, Ambedkar associations have also participated. Later the Ambedkar statue at Railway station, Vikarabad was garlanded and a public meeting was held. A public meeting was organized at Mailardevarampalli village and the campaign team camped in the village itself.
Chevella: The Campaign team reached Chevella via Manneguda, Khanapur, Damagidda and Alluru. The Ambedkar statues were garlanded and meetings were held in the en-route villages. A press meet was held at Ambedkar Bhavan, Chevella, later the Ambedkar statue in Bus stand centre was garlanded, followed by a public meeting.
Moinabad: The Campaign team reached Moinabad via Malkapur and Mudimyala villages after holding public meetings. Later a public meeting was organized at Moinabad, wherein many Ambedkar youth associations, former panchayat raj bodies, women collectives from various villages have participated.
Shabad: The Campaign team reached Shabad en-route Surangal, Nagarguda and Pamena. Meetings were held in the villages on the route and Ambedkar statues were garlanded. The local organizations, Ambedkar youth associations, women collectives from various villages have attended the public meeting held at Ambedkar statue, Shabad.
Valedictory Meeting
The valedictory meeting of the Campaign (Ratha Yatra) was held on 14th November around 11a.m. at Press Club, Basheerbagh Hyderabad. Before the start of the meeting the Campaign team paid rich tributes at the statue of Dr B R Ambedkar at Tank Bund. The dignitaries on the dais were Ms. K.Sunitha IAS, Commissioner-College Education, Kalpana Naik IPS, Women Cell (CBCID), Dr Siddoji Social Welfare Department and Anuradha Convener-Ikya Balala Vedika. The meeting was presided over by Convener-DSS. The Principal Secretaries of Women & Child Welfare and Labour department have sent their greetings and expressed their solidarity. Convener-DSS has shared in brief about the campaign and the objective, the mileage covered, the impact achieved and the visibility for the cause gained.
K.Sunitha: She recollected her first meeting with the Convener of DSS, Jhansi, was in a social welfare programme. She said, ‘I saw her presentation and felt that if there were many persons like her, our state would have changed.’ Sharing her experiences of first posting as the Sub
Collector of Kovvuru, she shared about an atrocity where she took up the issue with the Collector and got land sanctioned for the victim. She thought the atrocities were there during those days, but they are still prevalent even to this day and even dalit women are facing atrocities at work place and these incidents don’t come out. She pointed out that our society accepts a man who marries for the second time by leaving his first wife, but never accepts a rape victim, which shows the prejudice and male domination. She stressed the need to acknowledge plight of rape victim and allow them as one among us. She continued, “I saw many husbands of the women sarpanchs saying that they are the presidents, but I felt very happy when Manikyamma spoke. I have noticed both men and women in my office, but it is the women who work for more time as they don’t have any bad habits, men often keep going out for various reasons. Even after returning back home, women will have to cook food. It is only the women who work hard for the whole day and we find many men commenting women, but do not work. Every woman does some or the other work. Therefore we should see that the entire dalit woman are into SHGs and enjoy the fruits of it and at the same time will have collective power. We have reservations everywhere and we need to use it to the optimum level including NREGA as there are specific budgets allocated for dalit women. She said that the work done by DSS is invaluable and it is so great and appreciable that they have organized a mammoth campaign covering thousands of dalit women”.
Ms. Kalpana Naik:She narrated, “The 10 days campaign of DSS has ended successfully and I am happy that I have been invited for this valedictory meeting. Jhansi has said that the government officers have expressed their reluctance to attend the meeting of DSS as they will
be questioned. When she has invited me, I said I will come and I have come. It doesn’t mean that our police department is perfectly alright and we too have some lapses. To implement the legislation 100% is very hard and we need to face many problems while implementing. We have Dowry Prohibition Act, Domestic Violence Act etc. Though dowry is prohibited, many take and give dowry. Only through these types of Ratha Yatras we can bring more awareness to the lager civil society. DSS has done it by reaching many door steps. I appreciate the invaluable work done by DSS and I wish that they spread over to the whole state from 7 districts.”
Ms.Anuradha: She has appreciated the tremendous work done by DSS and the results achieved in a short period of 6 years. She said that DSS has become the role model for them and that, “DSS has capacitated many dalit women and it is wonderful that they have organized such a good campaign at this crucial juncture. Really the campaign has succeeded in conveying a good message to people like us. I have heard a lot about DSS and continuously I keep hearing about DSS atleast twice or thrice in a month. I wish DSS all success.”
Mr.Siddoji: He said, “I have been in constant touch with the campaign team and have been hearing about the way the campaign went. Wherever we go, we hear about DSS and DSS means people (dalit women). DSS is the only organization which is holding mammoth meetings and many a times I have seen hundreds of dalit women in their meetings.” He has once again congratulated the DSS team for the marvellous work being done by DSS.
Responses from Women Collectives:
Ms. Amulya, has said that, she participated in the Ratha Yatra and has learnt many things and has come to know many things. “We have taken many of our problems to the notice of the government and we want them to resolve our issues”.
Ms. Manikyamma, is the leader of women collective and has participated in the campaign for all the 10 days. She is the former sarpanch(president) of her village Kopella in Guntur district.
She shared her experience in the Ratha Yatra. Recollecting her past, she said that she has participated in the training organized by DSS for the panchayat raj leaders and since then started to go to office and discharge her duties.
Slowly took control of the things from her husband. She said that she has come to this stage because of DSS and Jhansi madam.
Ms. Hamsamma, said that this is the second time that she was participating in the campaign. Earlier she used to be afraid of even small things, but now I am able to speak to anyone boldly.
Ms. Kouslya, said that she has joined DSS 2 years back. She has come to know about the rights and is able to use them.
Ms. Elizabeth, said that she is an active member in DSS. She has participated in the public actions (dharnas) many times and has achieved many things such as electricity poles, etc.
Ms. Padma, has said that though her husband did not agree to send her, but she still came and participated in the campaign. She said that she will continue with DSS and make many more women collectives like hers.
Ms. Sarah said that usually the dalit women do not come out, but she has participated in the campaign for all these 10 days, learnt many things and campaigned in many villages.
Ms. Anuradha, said that before coming into contact with DSS they used to stay at home, but after joining DSS they became brave and were able to solve many things.
Ms. Narasamma, said that there was lot of difference in them after joining DSS. Earlier they used to carry foot wear with their hands whenever any dominant community person comes across, but now they got the courage and are not doing so.
Highlights of the Campaign:
The 60 member Campaign team was at all ease right from the first day till the last day. The slogans raised by them have touched the sky. The team includes many young volunteers apart from the full timers of DSS. There are even mothers who have left their kids at homes and have been in the campaign for the whole 10 days with high levels of commitment towards the cause.
A group of women together campaigning for the cause focused.
In all the areas the Volunteers were appreciated by the officials, representatives of local organizations, community for their commitment and active participation.
The performance of the cultural team through songs and skits was inspiring and was the highlight. Even at late nights the whole community was eagerly waiting for their songs and their songs took the community on to their toes.
The vehicle decorated with various photos, demands on the flex banners and the sound system fixed to it was the centre point of attraction. Throughout the journey the songs were played through the sound system.
The drivers of the 3 vehicles were with the same spirit and enthusiasm for all the 10 days. The campaign team had an additional force of 3 members who were good at driving and they shared the responsibility and even distributed pamphlets. Though it was late nights every day they never hesitated to wake up early and be ready for the journey and all this was due to their spirit and motivation for the cause.
Campaign Demands:
The government machinery should take necessary measures to put an end to the violence against dalit women and girl children
The concerned departments should strive to bring in awareness to the dalit women on their rights
To allocate the government schemes to the dalit women in proportionate to their population
To give preference for dalit women in NREGA
To allocate the budget as per the SC/ST sub plan, set aside the share of dalit women and spend it through a separate nodal agency
To provide own buildings and other facilities for anganwadi centres
To put a special focus on the dalit girl children in the government schools and provide them qualitative education
To provide basic amenities in the schools
To provide protection to the girl children in the hostels apart from basic amenities
To nationalize the corporate and private education institutions
To eradicate caste discrimination in education institutions
To eradicate violence and violations on dalit girl children
To implement common school system as per recommendations of Kothari commission
Impact:
First and foremost impact was on the dalit community who felt their problems being focussed by DSS and enthused them
Public at large were sensitized through the speeches, phamplets and wide coverage of the media
The campaign created feelings among the dalit women and girl children that they can confidently complain to DSS on their problems
Increase in the accountability and coordination among the concerned line departments
The gaps in the policies and the implementation gaps clearly identified with specific examples of incidents
Change in the thinking of the dalit women could be noticed
The dalit women are gearing up themselves to raise their voices continuously for accessing their rights
Dalit girls in the hostels knew about their rights and were enthused to demand for their rights. They were given a new confidence that they need not suffer silently and they can approach DSS for any help.
Potential perpetrators of crimes against dalit women and girls feel threatened that there is a committed organisation like DSS which would oppose any injustice.
Outputs:
The dalit women are able to advocate on their own to resolve the issues, where as earlier they use to depend upon
The concerned authorities at respective levels have invited DSS to discuss on the issues
Much visibility through media
Succeeded in bringing many local associations on to a common platform for the cause
Raised the confidence levels among the local organizations and could give an assurance that a state level organisation is there to stand by them
Confidence among the dalit girls in the hostels increased and they found a forum to approach and complain about their problems.
