People’s groups seek action on Dalit issues

Activists of KVPS, CITU, AIDWA and DYFI staged a protest called ‘Samajika Shankharavam’ seeking action on Dalit issues at the Visakhapatnam Collectorate on Thursday. | Photo credit: IN PARADISE

The Kula Vivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham (KVPS), CITU and other people’s organizations staged a protest at the Collectorate on Thursday to intervene on issues they said were affecting Dalit communities.

KVPS state general secretary Andra Malyadri said Dalits continue to face caste discrimination, claiming custodial deaths, murders, assaults, sexual violence, caste abuse and honor killings persist. He said the month-long survey conducted across the state by KVPS, CITU and other people’s organizations under the ‘Samajika Shankharavam’ program highlighted several problems faced by Dalits.

Andhra Pradesh Agricultural Workers Union general secretary K. Lokanadham alleged that several welfare schemes for Dalits were not in place and that many Dalit colonies lacked drinking water, electricity, sewerage and roads. He also alleged that land allotted to Dalits was being taken back for development projects.

CITU Visakhapatnam district general secretary RKSV Kumar claimed that loans through the SC Corporation were no longer being given and incentives for inter-caste marriages had been stopped. The organizations sought free electricity, basic amenities and filling SC/ST vacancies. Representatives of AIDWA and DYFI also participated in the protest.

Published – 27 Aug 2026 23:37 IST