Dalit Former Panchayat President Cites Caste Insult in IUML Ritual Row

The CPI(M)'s youth wing, DYFI, protested at the Changaroth panchayat office against an alleged 'purification ritual' by IUML activists. The ritual was perceived as a casteist insult, given that the former panchayat president was from the Dalit community. No complaints have been filed with the police yet.

The youth wing of the CPI(M), known as DYFI, staged a protest on Tuesday at the Changaroth panchayat office, condemning what they allege to be a 'purification ritual' conducted by IUML members. The protest was in response to actions claimed to target a former panchayat president from the Dalit community.

Authorities confirmed that the demonstration proceeded without incident, maintaining a calm atmosphere in the locality. The LDF is also expected to organize a protest march later the same day, as no formal grievances concerning the controversial ritual have been reported to law enforcement yet.

The incident in question involved UDF activists performing a ritualistic act outside the panchayat office. This supposedly celebratory gesture was deemed derogatory by Unni Vengeri, the former panchayat president, who asserts that it carried a caste-based insult, given there were no such celebrations in other panchayats recently won by the UDF.

(With inputs from agencies.)