Chandrababu Naidu Facing The Ire Of Dalits In The State

Vijayawada: AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is facing the heat from Dalits in the state for ignoring their welfare and turning a blind eye when issues close to them are highlighted.

For instance, in Garagaparru village of West Godavari district Dalits were outcast by the upper caste over installation of Ambedkar statue. The Dalits demanded the state government intervene in the incident. However, the government woke-up from its slumber only after opposition parties including the YSRCP raised the issue and demanded justice for the Dalits. A couple of upper caste people were arrested by the police but no further action was taken.

Meanwhile, in Devarapalli village of Prakasam district, irrigation department officials started constructing an irrigation tank in 22 acres of land belonging to Dalits. The latter protested claiming that the land was given to them and even showed land pattas issued by the state government. But the officials did not heed to their protests untill YSRCP joined issue.

The state government is constantly ignoring issues that are close to the Dalits and their welfare. Also, it is forcibly taking over land that was allocated to Dalit families. In the absence of a clear agenda or policy to look into Dalit issues, the state government headed by the TDP is all set to face rough weather in the 2019 elections.