New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) CPI general secretary D Raja, along with the party's national secretary, Rama Krushna Panda, met National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairperson Kishor Makwana on Monday and submitted a memorandum to him demanding urgent action on an incident of horrific caste atrocity in Odisha's Ganjam.
In a statement issued here, the Communist Party of India (CPI) said it raised alarm over the "growing pattern of caste violence from Ganjam to Etawah, Meerut, Ballia and Bulandshahr -- where Dalits are being punished for simply asserting their basic rights".
"The party called for immediate legal action, protection and compensation for victims, strict enforcement of the SC/ST Act and structural reforms to end the culture of impunity," the statement said.
It added that attention was particularly drawn to the incident in Dharakote block of Odisha's Ganjam district, where two Dalit men were allegedly stripped, tonsured, brutally assaulted and forced to eat grass and drink drain water -- "an act of inhumanity meant to degrade and terrorise the entire community".
"CPI stated that this is not an isolated incident, but part of a growing pattern of caste-based violence across the country. The party pointed to recent cases in Uttar Pradesh -- including the public humiliation of a Dalit family in Etawah, the deliberate crushing of a Dalit woman by an SUV in Bulandshahr, violent attacks during a wedding procession in Meerut, and casteist assaults in Ballia -- as clear signs of a systemic failure to protect Dalit communities," the statement said.
The Left party expressed grave concern over the widespread impunity and the failure of institutions to enforce the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act with the required seriousness and urgency.
"CPI demanded that the Commission ensure immediate legal action in the Ganjam case under the relevant provisions of the law, provide compensation and protection to the victims, and monitor the investigation until justice is delivered," it said.
The Left party also urged the NCSC to conduct field visits to affected regions, hold discussions with victims and local communities, and recommend structural reforms to address the deep-rooted caste violence in the country.
The statement said the NCSC chairperson assured the CPI leaders of a speedy inquiry and appropriate steps in the Ganjam case.
"CPI stands firmly with Dalit communities in their fight for dignity, justice and equality," it added.
The two Dalit men in Ganjam were allegedly tonsured, assaulted, forced to crawl on their knees and consume grass and drain water on suspicion of cattle smuggling last week.
The Odisha Police has arrested 12 people in connection with the case so far, including prime accused Rajesh Samal.