Chidambaram South Thittai Panchayat Secretary Sindhuja and Vice President of the Panchayat Council Mohanraj belonging to the DMK, have been arrested for practicing untouchability towards a Scheduled Caste woman who is a Panchayat President.
Rajeswari (37), hailing from the Adi Dravidar community, is the Panchayat President of the Chidambaram South Thittai Panchayat near Bhuvanagiri in Cuddalore district. The panchayat has 6 panchayat members.
There were allegations that Panchayat members, including the Panchayat Council Vice President Mohanraj had curtailed Rajeswari from functioning and is said to have been constantly insulted during the panchayat council meetings.
In the meeting held on July 17, Rajeswari was made to sit on the floor while the other members sat on chairs. Photos of this incident went viral on social media on October 9.
Following this, Panchayat President Rajeswari lodged a complaint at the Buvanigiri police station on October 10 stating that Panchayat Secretary Sindhuja and Vice President of the Panchayat Council Mohanraj had been insulting her as she belonged to the Adi Dravidar community. She noted that she was made to sit on the floor during the meetings and was also not allowed to exercise her duties as Panchayat President.
The police then charged both Sindhuja and Mohanraj under Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Additional Collector Rajagopal Sungara and Assistant Collector of Chidambaram L. Madhubalan inspected the Panchayat Council records and enquired the Bhuvangiri Regional Development Officer Prema, Deputy Regional Development Officer Tamilchelvi and Panchayat Secretary Sindhuja.
Sindhuja was suspended and was later arrested.
ஊராட்சித் தலைவர் ராஜேஸ்வரிக்கு தீண்டாமைக் குற்றம் – வன்கொடுமை தடுப்புச் சட்டத்தின் கீழ் சிந்துஜா கைது.
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) October 10, 2020
Mohanraj who is said to be absconding was reported saying in The Hindu Tamil that Rajeshwari ‘s husband Saravanakumar interfered in the affairs of the panchayat council which he condemned. He accused Saravanakumar of instigating Rajeshwari to file a complaint.
Suganthi, a ward member of the South Thittai Panchayat also accused both the DMK office bearers of making her sit on the floor. She also accused Mohanraj of interfering in people’s work. District Collector Chandrasekara Sakhamuri and District Superintendent of Police Sree Abhinav are investigating into the alleged insult to the woman. Rajeswari, Suganthi and other panchayat leaders are being inquired.