SC outfits memo to Prez on 'Dalita Govindam'

Tirumala (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 7: The scheduled caste organisations submitted a memoradum to President Pratibha Patil here last night seeking her intervention in upholding the rights and equal opportunities bestowed upon them by the Constitution and 'infringed' by TTD in respect of worship and employment.

The move was taken amid the controversy over the alleged 'discrimination' by TTD and 'archakas' to the idols used for 'Dalita Govindam' programme conducted in various 'Dalitwadas' in Tirupati.

In the six-point memorandam, Republican Party of India (RPI) State General Secretary P Anjaiah and Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Castes Welfare Association President P Paramasivan, who discussed various issues with the President, said the TTD had denied equal rights to the SCs in worship and education.

The idols used in 'Dalita Govindam' should be shifted from the 'Archaka Nilayam' (kitchen room) to the main temple, they said The TTD administration must admit SC/ST children into 'Vedapatasala' to help them study Vedas and also into TTD-run schools and colleges besides providing free education, boarding and lodging.

Ms Patil positively responded to the issues and assured to look into them, they added.

She immediately called TTD Chairman B Karunakara Reddy and Executive Officer K V Ramanachary and discussed about the 'Dalita Govindam' controversy, according to sources.

UNI