A petition has been filed with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh against the Chairman of the state Scheduled Caste Commission over charges of encouraging church planting and conversions, falsely invoking SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, derogating Mahatma Gandhi, and acting against the orders of the Supreme Court.
Victor Prasad, the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Scheduled Caste Commission, has been accused of directing the Bapatla District Superintendent of Police to invoke sections of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against those who had objected to the construction of an illegal and unauthorized church in Pittavanipalem village of the district.
“This action of the Chairman of the AP State Commission for Scheduled Castes is highly detrimental to the larger interests of the people of the Scheduled Caste community in Andhra Pradesh.”, said the complaint filed by SC ST Rights Forum, a legal activism organization that work to safeguard legal and constitutional rights of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities.
The complaint also added that a person holding a constitutional position meant to safeguard the interests of SCs is encouraging church planting and conversions to Christianity by writing such letters as cited above to the police authorities.
“By no stretch of the imagination, objection to church construction can be construed as an ‘Act of Atrocity’ against members of Scheduled Caste. If accepted, the demand for inclusion of the provision of the SC-ST Prevention of Atrocity Act in the instant case will amount to gross abuse of legal and constitutional protection given to members of the SC community.”, the complaint noted, a copy of which has been accessed by The Commune.
Victor Prasad has also been accused of slandering and derogating Mahatma Gandhi. In a Facebook post he allegedly said that between the period of 20th to 24th of September, 1932, thousands of villages in India were attacked, houses of Scheduled Caste people were burnt down and thousands of people belonging to Scheduled Castes were murdered. He also alleged that, after the said incident, Dr B.R Ambedkar was blackmailed into accepting the Poona Pact instead of the Communal Award.
“This post has been preceded/followed up by emotional speeches by Sri Victor Prasad reiterating his position. This has led to serious discord between members of various communities and members of Scheduled Castes.”, the complaint said.
“Members of the Arya Vysya community who objected to remarks on Mahatma Gandhi were also issued serious warnings by members of SC organisations. Taking a cue from the remarks of Sri Victor Prasad, these organisations have been pushing forward the slander campaign against Mahatma Gandhi.”, the complaint filed by SC ST Rights Forum said.
Victor Prasad had also directed all District Collectors and District Superintendents of Police in Andhra Pradesh to give permission, support and protection for the installation of statues of Dr BR Ambedkar in public places stating that the Supreme Court verdict prohibiting the installation of statues in public places does not apply to the installation of statues of Dr BR Ambedkar.
However, the Supreme Court had stated that the State Government shall not grant any permission for installation of any statue or construction of any structure in public roads, pavements, sideways and other public utility places.
Following the above judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court, an order was passed by the Transport, Roads & Buildings Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh that states that permission shall not be granted for installation of any statue or construction of any structure in public roads, pavements, sideways and other public utility places.
The SC ST Rights Forum noted that Victor Prasad’s letter is in direct violation of the Supreme Court verdict and the order of the Andhra Pradesh Government.
“The acts of Shri M. Victor Prasad are tantamount to abuse of his powers and his further continuance in the position as Chairman of AP Scheduled Castes Commission is detrimental to the interests of the Scheduled Caste. Hence, we request you to order an inquiry into the activities of Sri M. Victor Prasad and issue suitable instructions to safeguard the interest of Scheduled Castes and avoid further rupturing of harmonious relations between members of various communities in the state of Andhra Pradesh.”, the complaint said.
Filed petition with Honorable Governor of Andhra Pradesh, seeking action against Mr M Victor Prasad, Chairman, AP Station SC Commission for abuse of his position by:
– Directing Police officials to book those who object illegal Church constructions under SC/ST Act and thereby + pic.twitter.com/d0mbjocSBD— SC ST RIGHTS FORUM (@SCSTForum) November 5, 2022
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