Police prohibits Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations in areas where people from other communities dwell
Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and one of the tallest leaders of India, stands reduced as a mere Dalit leader thanks to Tamil Nadu police. In Ramanathapuram district, the police have laid out very "imaginative" restrictions for holding 126th birth anniversary celebration including prohibiting celebration in areas where "other communities" dwell.
In the seven commandments given to the organisers, the police asked them to remove the portraits of Dr Ambedkar immediately after the celebrations and denied permission to use loudspeakers. They also banned erection of new flag mast, decorations using flag paraphernalia and flex boards. Besides, the organisers asked not to hold public meetings and rallies without prior permission.
"After providing the permission without any restriction on Tuesday, the police inspector of Chathirakudi station called us over phone on Thursday night and handed over a fresh order with seven conditions. He told us that the conditions were being imposed following the Ramanathapuram's Superintendent of Police circular. He also warned us if the conditions are violated, a case will be filed against us," Kasinathan of Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists Association who organised the Ambedkar's birth anniversary celebration at Sathirakudi said told DNA. He noted that similar restrictions were imposed across the district on the orders of the SP.
"If Dr Ambedkar's Portrait should not be opened in areas where the people belonging to other 'communities' dwell then is the Photo and name of Dr BR Ambedkar untouchable? Is it not violating the fundamental right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution? The Tamil Nadu government must ascertain whether the Home Secretary, DGP and Ramanathapuram SP knew of such direction. If they have instructed so, then the Government must initiate suitable action as per the Provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act against them for issuing such instruction," said well-known educationist PB Prince Gajendra Babu who took part in the celebration at Sathirakudi.
When asked about the conditions imposed by the police, Superintendent of police Mayilvahanan said that considering the law and order situation, certain conditions are imposed for holding any function in the district. On the restriction imposed on celebrating Ambedkar's birth anniversary in the areas "other communities" dwell, he said that Ramanathapuram is a communally sensitive district so "we imposed some restrictions."
The Ramanathapuram district is no stranger to clashing between dominant Thevar and Dalit community. The Thevar community leader Muthuramalinga Thevar and Dalit's leader Immanuel Sekaran hail from the district which had witnessed several caste clashes. After the police firing at Paramakudi on September 11, 2011, killing six Dalits, who had gathered to pay homage to Sekaran's memorial, the district had not seen any major caste clash, said Mr Kasinathan.
In Tamil Nadu, the statues of Dr Ambedkar are put inside iron cages in most parts of the state to prevent the incidents of desecration. "Ambedkar is being insulted only in our state," Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katch president and a prominent Dalit leader Thol. Thirumavalavan said.
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