It has been revealed in a survey, Dalit Women's Right to Political Participation in Rural Panchayati Raj conducted on 200 Dalit Women Sarpanches and Panchayat members in the two states of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, that untouchability is still a social evil.
The survey revealed that the Dalit women are not favoured anywhere in the Panchayati Raj system. Their election to the posts in the village Panchayat does not provide them any relief from being outcaste by fellow villagers.
These women are ill treated by their colleagues. They do not have the liberty to eat from the same plates as their colleagues from other higher castes and have separate plates and glasses.
The survey revealed that as a result of increasing untouchability practices in the state, nearly 65 per cent of Dalit sarpanches have been reported to have separate cups for drinking water and tea. Moreover around 40 per cent are not even allowed to sit on chairs.
Untouchability has been practiced in Gujarat since a long time. Many other avenues like schools, post offices etc have seen a decline in the practice over the years. The revelation of the practice in the Panchayat has left many people in a shock.
The study carried out by Navsarjan Trust NGO released the survey at the women's tribunal, organised by Waada Na Todo Abhiyan along with participation of other 200 women members from the marginalised sections like tribals, dalits and Muslims.
