Chennai: With the issue of a woman Panchayat President facing insult on caste lines snowballing into a major row, Cuddalore District Collector Chandra Sekhar Sakhamuri said though the incident had taken place in July it was brought to his notice only now and immediately action was taken.
“Had it had been brought to our attention, we would have taken action then itself and ensured that such incidents do not recur”, he said, adding, neither the affected person nor the Panchayat Secretary had informed the district administration about it.
Police have also regisered cases against panchayat Vice-president Mohan Raj, a caste Hindu, under Sec 3(1)(r) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Action has been taken against the Panchayat Secretary too.
Therku Thittai Panchayat President Rajeswari Saravana Kumar, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, was forced to sit on the floor during the Panchayat meetings.
Rajeswari complained about the harassment and discrimination she had been facing from caste Hindus, including Raj, ever since she was elected as President in January this year.
Police registered cases after a photo of her sitting on the ground, while other members were seated on chairs at a Panchayat meeting held in July, went viral on the social media.
Alleging that she was not even allowed to hoist the national flag during the Republic Day, she said she had been bearing such insults as she was elected to serve the people.
The district administration has directed the Assistant Director, Panchayats to hold an inquiry and file a police complaint as per the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act).