http://deccan.com/Region/RegionNews.asp#SC%20members%20allege%20insult%20by%20DCC%20chief
SC members allege insult by DCC chief Adilabad, Oct. 3: Alleged insult of dalit mandal parishad presidents (MPPs), zilla parishad territorial constituency (ZPTC) members and sarpanches at a function in Khanapur two days ago by District Congress committee president Ravinder Rao and Khanapur market committee chairman Laxman Rao, rocked the general body meeting of zilla parishad on Wednesday. Dalit MPPs and ZPTCs belonging to the Telugu Desam obstructed the proceedings of the general body meeting, seeking justice. They staged a sit-in protest in front of the podium, demanding action against Mr Ravinder Rao and Mr S. Laxman Rao and registration of cases under the SC, ST (prevention of atrocities) Act against them. They alleged that Mr Ravinder Rao did not break a coconut at the inauguration function of the sub-registrar's office in Khanapur on October 1, saying that he would not break a coconut after breaking of coconuts by dalits. Dalit MPPs and ZPTCs submitted a memorandum to minister for roads and buildings T. Jeevan Reddy seeking justice. Their fellow MPPs and ZPTC members extended support to the victims. MPP Lavanya, ZPTC Rathod Ramu and sarpanch Akula Srinivas of Khanapur told the ZP meet that they had lodged a complaint with Khanapur police against Mr Ravinder Rao and Mr Laxman Rao on October 1. They alleged that protocol was not being followed during government meetings and elected public representatives of local bodies were not being invited. Instead, Congress leaders were sitting on the dais even in government programmes, violating rules. They were being insulted whenever they asked for information about government programmes. Mr Jeevan Reddy instructed officials concerned to conduct an inquiry into the incident. He further said that action would be taken against government officials if they failed to follow protocol at government programmes. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Ravinder Rao refuted the allegations levelled against him by some MPPs and ZPTC members and said that he did not insult them with their caste name. He said that they had created a scene during the general body meeting to derive a political mileage.
