People’s groups seek action on Dalit issues

On Thursday, Dalit-focused people's organizations, including the Kula Vivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham (KVPS) and the Central Industrial Trade Union (CITU), staged a protest at the Collectorate. They demanded action on issues plaguing Dalit communities, which they claimed are hindered by caste discrimination. KVPS State Secretary Andra Malyadri stated that Dalits still face discrimination, with ongoing incidents of custodial deaths, murders, assaults, sexual violence, caste abuse, and honor killings.

A month-long state-wide survey under the "Samajika Shankharavam" program uncovered numerous problems faced by Dalits.

Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers’ Union Secretary K. Lokanadham alleged that welfare schemes for Dalits were not being implemented, and many Dalit colonies lacked essential services like drinking water, electricity, drainage, and roads. He also claimed that land allotted to Dalits was being seized for development projects. CITU Visakhapatnam district secretary RKSV Kumar alleged that loans from the SC Corporation were no longer being granted, and incentives for inter-caste marriages had been discontinued.

The organizations called for free electricity, basic amenities, and the resolution of Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) backlog vacancies. Representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Dalit Vidhan Parishad (AIDWA) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also took part in the protest.