The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) on Thursday released a report, highlighting bias against Dalit presidents of village panchayats and urged the State government to take steps to ensure their independent functioning.
The survey was done in 24 districts, covering 386 village panchayats. It was based on a questionnaire and was carried out by 400 trained volunteers. According to the survey, in 20 village panchayats, Dalit presidents were not allowed to hoist national flags. In 22 panchayats, they were not allowed to sit on chairs, while in 42 panchayats they were not allowed to have a name board, it said.
