Dalits In Nellore Face Social Boycott Over Midnight Whistle: Rights Groups Demand Action Against Caste Discrimination

Andhra Pradesh: Alleging a brutal act of caste-based oppression, two major Dalit rights organizations — the Anti-Caste Discrimination Struggle Association (KVPS) and Mala Mahanadu — have condemned the social boycott of Dalits in Dappalampadu village of Gudluru mandal, Potti Sriramulu Nellore district. The boycott reportedly began after some Dalit youth were accused of blowing whistles at midnight, leading to a series of discriminatory actions by local leaders allegedly affiliated with the ruling party.

• KVPS demands arrests, punishment, and compensation

State President Andra Malyadri and General Secretary O Nallappa of the Anti-Caste Discrimination Struggle Association (KVPS) strongly condemned the social ostracization of Dalits in Dappalampadu village. They alleged that TDP leaders not only attacked the Dalit youth for a trivial act — whistling at night — but also denied them access to basic necessities like drinking water and milk, and prohibited them from entering neighboring villages.

They criticized the administration for failing to take strict legal action and instead pressuring victims into compromise. KVPS demanded:

• Immediate registration of cases against the accused,
• Arrests and strict punishment for the perpetrators, and
• Compensation to the affected Dalit families for the period of social exclusion.

They also called for official protection measures to prevent such caste-based atrocities in the future.

• Mala Mahanadu decries repeated atrocities post-election

Mala Mahanadu State General Secretary M Narasappa and Emmiganur Taluka President KM Usenappa also condemned the incident, describing it as a barbaric expression of caste arrogance. They recounted that following a baseless accusation of theft, an announcement was made on loudspeakers in the village, ordering non-Dalits to sever all communication with Dalits and even banning entry into the village.

The leaders pointed out that the ruling coalition had promised to safeguard Dalit rights, yet atrocities, murders, and land grabs have increased since they came to power. They emphasized that officials were complicit in denying essential services like water, electricity, and milk to Dalit colonies, affecting the well-being of children and families.

They demanded:

• Immediate government intervention,
• Accountability of officials aiding the social boycott,
• And the implementation of legal provisions under the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

• Growing concern over caste violence

This incident in Dappalampadu village adds to a disturbing pattern of caste-based violence and discrimination in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Rights organizations warned that ignoring these incidents will deepen social divisions and weaken constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity.

Both KVPS and Mala Mahanadu have urged the government to treat this not as an isolated event, but as a test case for demonstrating its commitment to eradicating caste-based oppression.

(Source: IAIJ/BIN/DPJB)