BBMP Pourakarmikas Condemn Violence and Caste-Based Atrocities
A recent incident has sparked outrage among pourakarmikas (municipal workers) in Bengaluru. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Pourakarmika Sangha condemned the violence and discrimination faced by its members, following an alarming event on September 11. Six female pourakarmikas were allegedly attacked and subjected to casteist abuse while performing their cleaning duties in Ward no. 72.
The workers accused a local resident, Chandru, and his mother of verbally abusing them with casteist slurs, smashing a phone used to document the incident, and physically assaulting them, resulting in significant injuries. Despite an FIR being lodged under the Scheduled Castes – Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, no arrests have been made, causing further agitation among the workers.
BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha’s president, Nirmala, addressed the media on Tuesday, emphasizing the perpetual dangers and triple oppression—based on caste, gender, and class—that pourakarmikas endure. “Despite performing critical public health duties, they face systemic discrimination and violence, necessitating immediate intervention,” she asserted.
Lakshmi, one of the assaulted workers, expressed her frustration: “Why have the culprits not been arrested? Their public violation of my dignity and the lack of action against them highlight the negligence toward workers like us.” Another worker, Rangamma, underscored the daily discrimination they face, such as being prohibited from touching the gates of certain homes and being served water in bathroom mugs.
The sangha announced a protest set for Wednesday in front of the BBMP office, demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and ₹10 lakh compensation for each of the assaulted workers. They also called for strict safety measures to safeguard pourakarmikas and comprehensive reforms to address the systemic exploitation of Dalit, female, and low-income workers within the BBMP.
Published: September 18, 2024, 07:00 AM IST
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/bbmp-pourakarmikas-condemn-assault-call-for-protest-on-september-18/article68652477.ece
Category : Bengaluru
Tags:
