DUBAI: Indian women's rights activists last week condemned the DMK government over what they called “anti-women” and “anti-Dalit” policies. They delivered a host of charges against the ruling government in Chennai at a meeting hosted by All India Democratic Women's Association. The Association's General Secretary U Vasuki said that a list of wrongs has been prepared against the government for violation of various sections of the Constitution and also several cases of harassment against women. These include insult and abuse of women using vulgar language during agitations, she said while citing the examples of the attack on MLA Latha while seeking entry for Dalits in Draupadiamman Temple in Kangiyanur in Villupuram district. “Another woman activist Poongothai, who is also the secretary of AIDWA, was allegedly injured in the protest in the Uthapuram issue,” said Vasuki, adding that these kinds of assaults on women should be punishable under IPC Section 324/325/326 and Section 307 that includes life term imprisonment and a fine. She also highlighted the price rise of essential commodities during the DMK regime and said the government should resign for failing to curb the trend. “The government should be charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for using public money for organizing ruling party functions besides conducting government functions in a grandiose manner,” she added, in comments carried by the Indian Express. Vasuki was also harsh on the government for diverting Special Component plan fund for Dalits to populist schemes besides not giving freedom to Dalit panchayat presidents and non-implementation of Tribal Protection Act. As the series of violations were read out, activists symbolically burst balloons highlighting the filing of charges against the government. BM
