Social Awareness Society for Youths

(SASY) E-News No.003 Date: October to December 2020

Summary:

Introduction:

Social Awareness Society for Youths (SASY) had significantly

intervened to empower the most affected Dalit and Adivasi

communities to better access to justice with equality and dignity.

Caste based discrimination, inequality are a greatest challenge, but

SASY has played a lead and critical role to pave way to fight

against injustice and to achieve better access to Justice to the most

oppressed and marginalized Dalit and Adivasi communities. The

human rights interventions of SASY enormously contributed to

bring significant changes at the district and state for the larger

benefit of the Dalit and Adivasi communities.

1. Human Rights Monitoring & High

Court Interventions

2. Monitoring Atrocities committed

against Dalit and Adivasi

Panchayat Presidents

3. Emergency Relief Response –

Cyclone Burevi 2020

4. Cultural Training for CRC

Children & Women Federation

5. Election Manifesto 2021

6. SASY Annual General Body and

Executive Committee Meeting

7.

Dalit Human Rights

Monitoring

October 2020 – December

2020

No. of Fact Findings 19

No. of FIR registered 18

No. of Complaints sent to

concern authorities

15

No. of Accused persons

Arrested

32

Applications Submitted

under Rule 4 (5) for

Gaining SPPs

2

Gained SPP under Rule 4

(5)

2

Amount of Compensation

Received by Survivors

INR 22,62,500/-

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020

News - 3

The vice-president Mr. Mohanraj is belonged to

the most backward castes (MBC – Vanniyar

caste) and he had influenced the other non-Dalits

and was discriminating the two Dalit women

Rajeswari and Sukanya.

These non-Dalits did not allow the panchayat

president to execute the powers and to perform

her duties. The vice-president had also threatened

the president and the 2 Dalit women were forced

to sit on the floor during the two gram sabha and

two panchayat meeting. They were subjected to

derogatory forms of verbal abuse and

discriminatory practices. Also during the

Independence Day the panchayat president

Rajeswari was denied to hoist the national flag

and the vice-president Mohanraj’s father hoisted

the flag.

SASY had immediately undertaken fact finding

into the brutal atrocity and the case was registered

at Bhuvanagiri PS with the crime no: 1103 u/s sec

3(1) (m), 3(1) (r) SC/ST PoA Act on 10.10.2020.

Monitoring Atrocities committed against Dalit and

Adivasi Panchayat Presidents:

Case No: 1

Ms. Rajeswari of Bhuvanagiri, Cuddalore District has

won in the last panchayat election held in December

2019 and belonged to the Scheduled Castes (SC). She

has won in the Therkku Thittai Panchayat and presently

holding the position of panchayat president. Totally

there are 6 panchayat members in Therkku Thittai

panchayat and out of six; four of them are non-Dalits.

The remaining 2 are Ms. Rajeswari and Ms. Sukanya

respectively.

Human Rights Monitoring & High Court Interventions:

SASY is meticulously following the caste based atrocities

committed against Dalit and Adivasi communities by

following each stage of the atrocity cases and providing

legal support to the survivors of caste atrocities along with

the Special Public Prosecutors who were gained under rule

4 (5) of the SC/ST PoA Act.

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020

News - 3

The secretary Sindhujah and 6th

ward member Mr. Sugumar have been arrested by the Bhuvanagiri

police. SASY complaints have been sent to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, National

Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC, Chennai) and Chief Minister Cell. On 19.10.2020 the petition

was filed at the SC/ST Court – Cuddalore in cancelling the bail petition of the accused persons under

section 15 A of SC/ST PoA Act.

Case No:2

Rajesh @ Raj kumar (28) of Arani Block of Tiruvannamalao District fell in love and married a

Scheduled Tribe (Sub Caste: Irular) women named Ganga (Name Changed) in the year 2010. He left

Ganga in her mother’s home and was working as an electrician in Chennai. Mean while, Ganga was

conceived and her husband Rajesh had a bought pill for abortion and the fetus was aborted.

In the year 2014, he had taken a house for rent and they both were staying in that house located at

Tiruverkadu, Chennai. Once find day, he had told that his father was sick and left Ganga and he didn’t

return home at all, Meantime, he had married another woman Kalpana (Name Changed) By hiding his

first marriage with Ganga. Ganga cme to know about Rajesh’s second marriage and she had lodged a

complaint at the all women police station (AWPS), Tindivanam.

SASY had undertaken fact finding into the said incident and legally followed up the case. The case was

pending in Villupuram – Special Court and by the intervention of SASY, the case gained Special Public

Prosecutor under rule 4 (5) of SC/ST PoA Act with the choice of victim and Adv. Senthil Kumar @

Seralathan was the Special Public Prosecutor and the case came for final hearing and received judgement

on 30.01.2020 where the accused Rajesh was convicted with life imprisonment and a penalty of Rs.

1000/-. The court had also announced Rs. 2 lakh relief for the survivor

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020

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Emergency Relief Response – Cyclone Burevi 2020:

Background and the Impact of Cyclone Burevi in

Cuddalore District:

After 26th

December 2004-Tidal wave (Tsunami), the

usual monsoon situation happened every year in Costal

district of Cuddalore and Nagapattinam District. The

same situation has been occurred under the influence of

Cyclone Burevi, several parts of the central region of the

State, particularly Cuddalore and Nagapattinam heavy

rainfall due to the north-east monsoon.

This is the continuation to the Cyclone NIVAR which

occurred in the last week of November (24-28, 2020)

2020 and following this, the Cyclone Burevi caused

heavy rainfall and massive floods across the Cuddalore

District.

The majority of the Dalit and Adivasis communities are

living in the flood affected areas including the river and

coastal sides are very poor. They have been frequently

experiencing the heavy rain in their hamlets parts. They

often became homeless due to the frequent flood and

cyclone hit and their huts always washed away by the

cyclone and flood. In these backgrounds the humanitarian

assistance is very much needed and the affected families

need to be provided immediate relief assistance including

Food, Shelter, Warm Clothes, WASH and essential

Medicines to prevent communicable diseases in this

Cyclone Burevi as well as in the COVID 19 Pandemic

Situation.

Since the situation is worsening SASY is immediately

focusing on providing relief assistance to the worst

affected families. And later will engage in advocacy,

lobbying with the government departments for permanent

housing to the affected families and restoration in long

term.

Rapid Damage Assessment & Relief Assistance:

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020

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The total scheduled caste population of 5780

families are living in 43 villages of 5 Blocks in

Cuddalore District and is residing in thatched and

hut with mud houses inundated due to heavy rains

causes and influence of Cyclone Burevi. The

affected families are living in watery floors and are

not able to sleep since 3rdDecember 2020 and have

lost their belongings such as household utensils,

Clothes, books, dry rations and groceries items.

Moreover, the people already are not able to go to

work and earn regular income due to COVI19

pandemic lock down (since March 2020) and

presently the Cyclone Burevi (Since March 2020 –

December 2020 = 10 months) have also led to loss

of livelihood. These families are suffering without

food, clothes and almost all their belongings were

washed out.

Around 5780 families were worst affected in the

Cyclone Burevi and in the villages like Ambedkar

Nagar and Vadugathirumedu in Kavarapattu

Panchayat in Parangipettai Block have been

struggling to stay along with children ,elders,

Pregnant women and Physical Challenged since 3rd

of December 2020 due to their houses inundated

with heavy rain and flood water. Few of the families

are presently staying in their relatives which are near

by the village.

MISEREOR and Christian Aid as supporting

agency and SASY as implementing agency

responded quickly through distributing

immediate relief packages on 27.12.2020 to

30.12.2020 to more than 1600 worst affected

Dalit and Adivasi families from the villages of

Cuddalore District. The relief packages

included 25 kgs of rice, two kg dhal, two kg

Sugar, one kg salt, two litres of cooking oil,

Masala items for cooking, Bed Sheets, Plastic

Mats, Milk Powder, Dettol, Kabasura

Kudineer, Biscuits, Phenol,

Sanitary

Napkins and Tarpaulin Sheet.

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020 News - 3

Cultural Training for CRC Children:

The Children groups from the child resource centers have explored heir inclination towards art and culture. Many children

hae earned accolades in cultural performances in different forums on the issues of child rights. The ultimate aim of the

cultural training is the cultural teal will perform on thematic issues of Dalit and Adivasis children to generate awareness in

the community. The cultural team will perform on themes of discrimination, disaster preparedness, and children rights

under UNCRC.

In Cuddalore District, the Dalit communities in SASY’s working villages have access their rights and

entitlements through SASY initiatives and its solidarity organization initiatives in terms of Access to Justice and

entitlements as well as Education and Disaster Response and rehabilitation. In continuation of this journey,

SASY has provided cultural training in November 2020 by the expert cultural Team where 20 CRC Children, 5

Facilitators, 5 Volunteers participated and adept in local Dalit and Adivasi music and instruments. This cultural

group will promote Dalit culture and also generate awareness on Rights of Dalit and Adivasi children through

cultural expression by addressing caste discrimination, exclusion in schools, disaster response, right to adequate

housing etc.

The Children Resource Centre (CRC) is functioning effectively in Cuddalore District. The children at the

centre are having regular classes during evening from 4 to 6 p.m. With the facilitation of the CRC facilitators

the children are able to learn their academics; extracurricular activities, social skills whereby the children have

creatively made their ideas, skills and made “Craft Arts from Wastes” in these COVID lock down days.

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020 News - 3

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Inaithakaigal Women Federation:

The women federation leaders are having

their regular meeting in 21st of every month

and the last month meeting they had

discussion on the right to housing for the

Dalit families in the working villages.

Following this, the federation leaders had

submitted collective petition to the District

Collector, Cuddalore seeking 367

permanent housing under the government

schemes in 9 villages of Cuddalore District.

Election Manifesto 2021:

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes comprise about 16.6% and 8.6%, respectively, of India's

population. Dalits and Adivasis communities have become the focal point of all the political parties for rising

to political power at their cost and the concerns of Dalit & Adivasi women and children rights have not been

given priority. The constitutional rights and entitlements of Dalits and Adivasis were neglected over the years.

As SASY, we present this Manifesto to all the political parties to include and incorporate our demands and

concerns in your political party manifesto for the upcoming 16th

Assembly Elections 2021. This would

thereby bridge the increasingly gaps between the Tamil Nadu Government and the Dalit and Adivasi

communities. Hence we would demand the political parties to adhere to the constitutional rights of SCs and

STs. The demands are as follows:

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020 News - 3

1. Strengthening Democratic Republic & Federal Government:

To protect the powers of the State Government and the political parties to offer special focus on the

powers, rights, ownership of the state government.

2. Challenges Faced and Demands of Dalit, Adivasis:

To ensure land entitlements, housing to the Dalit and Adivasi people

Special focus on housing schemes and moving towards villages without huts.

3. Prevention of Atrocities and Claiming Justice:

Full Implementation of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act

Amend Article 17 of the Indian Constitution.

Ensure legal protection to the Inter Caste Married Couple & Prevent caste cruelty murders.

4. Rights to Dalit and Adivasi people in Education and Employment Spheres:

Ensure reservation in fair manner at the time of admission of students in 11th

standard.

Provide scholarships for Higher Education.

Ensure State Legislation on Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub Plan (SCP TSP).

5. Approaching Dalit & Tribal Villages with Social Perspective:

Take action against the persons under SC/ST PoA Act who are against the local representatives

To revoke section 205 of Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act

Ensure Gram Sabha Meetings and Participations.

Weapon License to Dalit and Adivasi Panchayat Presidents who are facing threats.

6. Special Focus on Dalit and Adivasis – Relief, Rehabilitation, Addressing Caste Based

Discriminations during Disasters

7. Challenges Faced by Adivasis:

Housing Rights – Land Entitlement

Caste Certificates

Membership in Tribal Welfare Board

Special Legislation for Tribal Sub Plan

Conduct census and obtain population data of Scheduled

8. Dalit, Adivasi Children & Women:

Right to Life, Nutritious Food

Drinking Water, Sanitation, Education

Protection from Atrocities Sexual Offences, Child Marriage & Exploitation

9. Affecting all Marginalised / Vulnerable Communities: (To repeal the following given below)

NEET Entrance Exam for Medical Education

National Education Policy

Citizenship Act

Agricultural Laws

Environmental Impact Assessment Notification

10. Rights and Participation of Civil Society Organisations:

Protect the rights of civil society organisations

Ensure the rights of victims and witnesses

Duties of the State in protecting the rights of Women/Human Rights Defenders.

Social Audits

Right to receive funds for Civil Society Organisations

Human Rights is a principle

Amendments were brought in The Registration Act 2010 and the term “Human Rights” was

considered to be misused and it was banned that civil society organisation should not use/hold the

term “Human Rights”. Human Rights is a principle; banning the term Human Rights is against the

Indian Constitution, the United Nation International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights-ICCPR-

1966) and (The United Nation Declaration on Human Rights Defenders-1998). Therefore the

amendments brought in The Registration Act 2010 should be repealed.

SASY Annual General Body and Executive Committee Meeting:

SASY’s Annual General Body and the

Executive Committee Meeting were

scheduled on 11th

December 2020. SASY

General Body, Executive Committee

Members, SASY staff team had participated

in the meeting. Dr. V.A. Ramesh Nathan,

Director – SASY welcomed the board

members and the crew who were present at

the meeting and the president of the Board

welcomed the members once again and

presided over the meeting. The meeting was

held with the mandates and SOP of the

Government with the safety and preventive

measures to COVID Pandemic.

There were overall presentation of one year

activity of SASY’s programmes, projects,

achievements and reports of the organisation.

The thematic focus of SASY’s work is based

on the districts namely Villupuram,

Cuddalore, Erode and Tirupur, Tanjore,

Nagapattinam, Pudukottai respectively.

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020 News - 3

The post lunch session was focused on SASY policies and management systems including the Finance

Management Policy – Manual, Safeguarding Policy and Formation of Sexual Harassment Committee.

There was brief presentation and detailed discussion on the SASY policies

Safeguarding Policy: Mr. Durai Pandi – Child Rights Coordinator and Ms. Annie Rachel –

Documentation Officer had attended 5 training sessions on Safeguarding Policy which was organized by

Christian Aid (CA). The same was also presented during the executive committee meeting and there was a

detailed discussion with the general body, executive committee, special invitees, advisor and staff team.

The context and need for safeguarding policy was discussed and it was unanimously resolved to form a

sexual harassment committee.

Formation of Sexual Harassment Committee: The safeguarding policy was presented before the

Executive Committee members. The policy manual was unanimously accepted and passed by the general

body members. It was also ensured that the policies are monitored and implemented in all the work of

SASY from the top level to field level. The focal points with their role profiles were also discussed. It was

also unanimously resolved by the executive committee members to form sexual harassment committee at

SASY, with the members including Ms. Mercy Clara – President of the Committee, Ms. Nageswari –

Legal Advisor, Ms. Stegana Jency – Child Rights Counsellor.

Oct’2020 – Dec’2020 News - 3

Social Awareness Society for Youths (SASY) No.33A, 2

nd Cross West, Anna Nagar, 4

th Street, Marakanam Road, Tindivanam – 604001, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu – India

Ph: +91 4147 – 250349; Email: rameshnathan@sasy.net.in ; www.sasy.net.in