Date:28/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/28/stories/2002122805260400.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Christian council seeks protection for Tirumavalavan

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI DEC. 27 . The Global Council of Indian Christians today demanded immediate intervention by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes/Schedule Tribes to ensure protection to the Dalit Panthers of India leader, R. Tirumavalavan, who has been cited as an accused in a case in Tamil Nadu.

In a statement, the convener, Sajan K. George, urged the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, to "stop victimising" of SC/STs and minority leaders. "We are perturbed at the treatment meted out to Mr. Tirumavalavan for his campaign against widespread atrocities perpetrated on the Dalits and minorities. The brazen Sangh Parivar agenda scripted by the Tamil Nadu Government is targeting human rights activists and terrorising Dalit and minority leaders to blunt the social empowerment zealously advocated for the welfare of the marginalised."

The ``harassment'' of Mr. Tirumavalavan was intended to dishearten a spirited movement by the Dalits against the anti-conversion law and misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, Mr. George said, was trying to tinker with the unique feature of Indian society: unity in diversity.