FACTS ABOUT INDIA

Even after 62 years of independence it is a travesty of justice that Dalit communities in a significant number of regions are unable to exercise their right of franchise in a free and fair manner as envisaged in the constitution.

Violent strategies are deployed by non-Dalit communities’ vested interests to either prevent Dalits from voting or to force them to vote for candidates against their wish or separate queues. As per the survey done by different organizations:

All this, in spite of the fact that our constitution guarantees equality before law, right of franchise to all citizens regardless of caste, creed, sex or religion; and in spite of the fact that we have excellent provisions against electoral offences in the Representation of the People Act, Cr.P.C. and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act various types of violations have been continuing by dominant castes. To state some: