Thiruvananthapuram: AICC Working Committee Member and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has sought an apology from the Chief Minister's Office for the "failure" of the Home Department to ensure justice for a poor Dalit woman, who was detained on a complaint of theft and was allegedly denied water at the police station and told to drink water from the toilet.
Terming the incident as a complete violation of human rights and an insult to Dalits, Chennithala said: "The false theft case registered against her was later proven baseless. It is understood that the Perrorkada Police asked her to drink from the toilet without even giving her water."
"These incidents prove that the police force has not been freed from the dirty feudalism of calling someone a criminal based on their colour or caste. Such incidents cannot be tolerated in Kerala society."
He further said that the "anti-Dalit face of the Left Government was exposed completely" after the Chief Minister's office denied justice to the Dalit woman by not listening to her complaint.
"This is a serious lapse on the part of the police and the government. It is inhuman. Strict action should be taken against the guilty officials," he added.
Meanwhile, in a message, opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan said, "Shocking ! 20 hours of brutal mental torture by Peroorkada police on an innocent woman over a theft claim. Denied water, told to drink from the toilet."
"Her plea was ignored by the CM’s office. A dark stain on the home department. Why is CM Pinarayi Vijayan silent ?' he asked.
Expressing shock over the atrocities, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "The police atrocity against Ms Bindu, a Dalit woman in Peroorkada, is a shocking reminder of the cruelty faced by Dalits under the rule of Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala."
"In this lost decade of Left rule, SC communities, especially women, have suffered neglect, marginalisation, and repeated instances of injustice."
"The SC/ST Atrocities Act must be invoked against the sub-inspector and police officers responsible. Adding insult to injury, when Ms Bindu sought help from the CM’s office after approaching P. Shashi, she was met with rejection and indifference."
While the government splurges on extravagant celebration anniversaries of its own misrule, it finds no money for Dalit welfare. There’s always funding for the chief minister’s daughter and son-in-law, but none for the safety or development of Scheduled Castes, he said.
In contrast, whatever progress Dalits have seen in Kerala has come from the Narendra Modi government, be it scholarships, business loans up to Rs 2 crore, a strengthened SC Act, housing under PM Awas Yojana, or free rations under Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
The CPM’s INDI Alliance partner, Congress, is no different. In Karnataka, they shamelessly diverted SC/ST welfare funds by misusing allocations under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.
For over 70 years in Kerala, both Congress and the Left have treated Dalits as a vote bank by using police to commit atrocities, by looting funds meant for their development, and by denying them basic dignity.
But Dalits are not voiceless. PM Narendra Modi ji and the BJP are their voice. Our commitment to #SabkaSaathSabkaVikas puts Dalit empowerment at the heart of our vision for a 'ViksitaKeralam', he added.
"It’s time for change. Time to end the injustice faced by Bindu and countless others. Time to deliver real development, dignity, and justice to every Dalit individual in Kerala."
Sources said the sub-inspector of Perrorkada Police Station was suspended in connection with the incident reported on April 23. The police filed a case after her employer accused her of stealing a 2.5 sovereign gold chain. Later, the gold chain was found from her employer's house.
