Dalit Woman Alleges Harassment by Kerala Police
The alleged harassment of a Dalit domestic worker by the Kerala Police has sent shockwaves across the state, sparking widespread outrage and calls for action. The victim, a 35-year-old woman from a Dalit family, has accused the police of denying her water, threatening to arrest her, and subjecting her to verbal abuse at the Peroorkada police station in Thiruvananthapuram.
The incident has been widely condemned by civil society groups, political parties, and opposition leaders, who have demanded a thorough investigation and legal action against the accused police officials. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan has also called for a departmental probe into the matter, blaming government inaction and political interference for enabling such abuse.
According to the victim’s account, she was arrested on August 14th on charges of theft, a claim she denies. During her detention at the Peroorkada police station, she was denied water and threatened with arrest if she did not confess to the crime. The police also allegedly subjected her to verbal abuse and humiliation, telling her that she was “nothing but a Dalit” and that she would never be able to prove her innocence.
The victim’s family has also come forward to corroborate her claims, stating that they had received threatening phone calls from unknown numbers after her arrest. The family has demanded that the police take immediate action to protect the victim and ensure her safety.
The Kerala Police have launched an investigation into the matter, but the victim’s family and civil society groups have expressed skepticism over the police’s ability to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry. The victim’s family has also accused the police of trying to cover up the incident and intimidate them into dropping the complaint.
The incident has reignited concerns over the treatment of Dalit women in Kerala, who are often subjected to discrimination, harassment, and violence. The state has a notorious record of police brutality and human rights abuses, particularly against marginalized communities.
The Kerala Police have faced numerous allegations of misconduct and human rights abuses in recent years, including the use of excessive force against protesters, the harassment of women, and the torture of suspects in custody. In 2020, a report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) found that the Kerala Police had committed numerous human rights violations, including torture, rape, and murder.
The alleged harassment of the Dalit woman at the Peroorkada police station is a stark reminder of the need for urgent reforms within the Kerala Police. The police must take immediate action to address the victim’s allegations and ensure that those responsible for the harassment are held accountable.
In addition, the government must take concrete steps to address the systemic issues that enable police brutality and human rights abuses. This includes strengthening the accountability mechanisms within the police force, providing adequate training to police personnel on human rights and ethics, and ensuring that complaints of police misconduct are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
The Kerala government must also take concrete steps to address the systemic discrimination and marginalization faced by Dalit women in the state. This includes providing adequate representation and support to Dalit women, addressing the structural barriers that prevent them from accessing justice and equality, and ensuring that their voices are heard and respected.
As the investigation into the alleged harassment of the Dalit woman at the Peroorkada police station continues, it is essential that the government and the police take a zero-tolerance approach to police brutality and human rights abuses. The victim and her family must be provided with adequate protection and support, and those responsible for the harassment must be held accountable.
The people of Kerala are watching closely to see how this case is handled, and they expect the government and the police to take concrete action to address the systemic issues that enable police brutality and human rights abuses. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in the government and the police to protect and serve the people of Kerala.
