Tamil Nadu back sliding' on social justice front: NCSC vice-chairman
According to Murugan, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka and other states give incentives to encourage inter caste marriages.
Krishnagiri: L. Murugan, vice-chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) said that Tamil Nadu, which was once the forerunner of social justice, is now on reverse, 'back sliding' track.
Mr. Murugan was here on Wednesday to meet the family of the Dalit boy Nandeesh who was allegedly murdered recently due to 'caste arrogance'.
He and his caste Hindu wife Swathi were allegedly done to death by the girl's father.
After meeting Nandeesh's relatives here at Choodkondapalli, the NCSC chairman said, “Haryana tops when it comes to inter-caste marriages. But the situation in Tamil Nadu is different. The state, which once was the forerunner in social justice, is going back due to lack of government support.”
According to Murugan, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka and other states give incentives to encourage inter caste marriages. Each couple is eligible for '2.5 lakh in those states. The only condition is that one of the spouses should belong to the Scheduled Caste and the other should be a non-Dalit.
"The NCSC has sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary to follow the model of Haryana and Karnataka to encourage inter- caste marriages," Murugan said.
When asked about measures taken to protect inter-caste marriage couples, he said, "Police and law alone cannot solve the problem. Bringing changes in people's minds socially is the permanent solution for this issue."