A recurring trend under the DMK regime, fresh allegations of discrimination against Scheduled Caste individuals have come to light, with Tindivanam municipality’s Municipal Vice-Chairman, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s Rajalakshmi Vetrivel, making serious accusations against the Municipal Council President of the Tindivanam Municipality who belongs to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Rajalakshmi claimed that she was denied a seat next to the DMK Municipal Council President’s seat solely based on her Scheduled Caste background. In a formal complaint lodged with the district collector of Villupuram, she detailed the discriminatory treatment she has allegedly faced.
“As the Vice-President of the VCK Municipal Council in the 22nd ward, I am dedicated to working for the upliftment of neglected communities under the guidance of VCK chief Thirumavalavan. However, I have never been granted a seat near the DMK’s Municipal Council President, simply because of my Scheduled Caste identity,” Rajalakshmi asserted.
Rajalakshmi Vetrivel pointed out that, traditionally, vice chairman of municipal councils across Tamil Nadu are seated next to the Municipal Council President, irrespective of their background. She expressed concern that she was being singled out and subjected to mistreatment based on her caste, adversely impacting her ability to participate in municipal affairs.
Rajalakshmi claimed exclusion from critical duties, alleging that she is not invited to inspection duties in her ward and has been consistently sidelined from developmental discussions.
In her plea to the district collector, Rajalakshmi has urged immediate intervention to address the alleged discrimination.
திமுக ஆட்சியில் பட்டியல் மக்கள் அவமதிக்கப்படுவது தொடர் கதையாகிவிட்டது.
திண்டிவணம் நகராட்சி திமுக நகர்மன்ற தலைவர் இருக்கைக்கு அருகில் தான் ஒரு தாழ்த்தப்பட்ட சமூகத்தைச் சார்ந்த பெண் என்பதால் இருக்கை வழங்க மறுப்பதாக விசிக நகர்மன்ற துணைத்தலைவர் குற்றச்சாட்டு. pic.twitter.com/MjDzWtL0KH
— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) November 21, 2023
Caste based atrocities are on the rise in Tamil Nadu after the DMK came to power. Such allegations of caste discriminations are also on the rise. In August 2023, a Dalit Panchayat Union President who belonged to the DMK itself alleged discrimination and even offered to quit her post.
The lament of a people’s representative from DMK exemplifies DMK’s phoney advocacy of social justice. From Smt. Sathyavani Muthu to Smt. Thenmozhi, nothing has changed in the functioning of DMK.
DMK & its leader continue to thrive on creating inequality in society. pic.twitter.com/agtRpmp2O9
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) August 26, 2023
It is also noteworthy to remember Satyavani Muthu, a Dalit woman Minister in Karunanidhi’s government who resigned from the ministry and left the DMK due to constant humiliation. One must also remember how VCK chief Thirumavalavan was seated on a plastic chair with his hands folded when he met with DMK minister R.S. Rajakannappan who was seen sitting on a plush sofa in August 2021.
திமுகவின் நவீன இரு குவளை முறை ? pic.twitter.com/T07X69UEbt
— Fervid Indian 🇮🇳 (@FervidIndian) August 1, 2021
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