Ramanathapuram police have kickstarted a row in Tamil Nadu, after they set seven preconditions for granting permission for Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations.
The strictures, according to The New Indian Express, have reduced the architect of the Indian Constitution to the leader of just one community.
According to reports, the root cause of this outrage was over a communication from the local inspector to the TN Untouchability Eradication Front. The Front had sought permission to organise a function at Chathirakudi village in Ramanathapuram district.
In response to the application, these were the conditions reportedly laid out by a local inspector:
- Ambedkar's portraits should be removed immediately after paying floral tribute and distributing sweets,
- no loudspeakers,
- no sports and games in problematic areas,
- no new flags, flag posts, boards, portraits or festoons should be put up, no flex boards; - no public meeting or rally without prior permission,
- no permission for functions in areas where other communities reside.
N Kalaiarasan, district secretary of TN Untouchability Eradication Front told The New Indian Express:
Police allegedly directed organisers to restrict celebrations within their own areas in villages like Mennendhi, Muthuvaya and Chathirakudi. They were reportedly instructed to not extend it to areas dominated by caste Hindus. Kalaiarasan then contacted police officials, who claimed to have given a similar notice to all applicants in the district.
VCK general secretary D Ravikumar told The News Minute:
"This is an insult to a national icon who is celebrated across the country. They are making it seem like he was the leader of one particular caste when he is actually the Father of the Indian Constitution," he argued.
“But these conditions were given based on the topography of the villages, not stereotypes,” insisted the officer.
But the justification has done little to quell the anger against the order. "By restricting where the celebrations are held, what are they trying to imply?" asks Ravikumar. "Do police even have the authority to give such directives? Authorities who gave these preconditions must be booked under the Atrocities against SC/ST Act and action must be taken against them," he added.
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