Hyderabad: School headmasters across Telangana have issued a warning to the authorities, threatening to launch statewide protests if immediate action is not taken against those responsible for the assault on P. Ramulu, a Dalit headmaster from Maheshwaram mandal in Ranga Reddy district. The incident, which occurred ten days ago, has sparked outrage among educators and Dalit rights organizations.
Telangana School Headmasters Threaten Protest Over Attack on Dalit Headmaster
On December 21, P. Ramulu, the headmaster of a government school in Thukkuguda mandal, reportedly asked a Class VIII student observing Ayyappa Deeksha to stand and recite mathematical tables. The student later alleged that the headmaster kicked him during the interaction. The claim spread via a WhatsApp group, escalating tensions.
The following working day, a mob of over 50 people, identified as Ayyappa devotees, stormed the school premises. They manhandled the 60-year-old headmaster, tearing his clothes and allegedly forcing him to apologize to the student by touching his feet. The school staff intervened to rescue Ramulu, and a police complaint was subsequently filed.
Legal Action and Protests
A case was registered under the BNS Act and SC/ST Act against the mob. However, Dalit organizations and advocates argue that the response has been inadequate. High Court advocate P. Vishnu, representing Dalit rights groups, stated that the mob included members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, dressed in Ayyappa Swamy attire.
“The incident is a direct attack on a Scheduled Caste headmaster, highlighting a serious caste-based atrocity. A 60-year-old educator being humiliated and assaulted is both shocking and unprecedented. The police must invoke attempt-to-murder charges and take strict action,” advocate Vishnu demanded.
Call for Justice
Dalit organizations and education unions have come forward to condemn the attack, emphasizing the need for justice and stricter measures to prevent similar incidents. The Telangana School Headmasters’ Association has threatened to organize large-scale protests if justice is not served.
“This attack is not just on one individual but on the dignity of educators and marginalized communities. We demand immediate action against the culprits,” a representative from the association stated.
Government Response Awaited
The incident has drawn widespread attention, and the government is under pressure to act swiftly to address the concerns of Dalit organizations and educators. The state’s law enforcement agencies are expected to review the case and determine the next steps.
As the tensions rise, the case serves as a reminder of the systemic issues around caste discrimination and the need for stronger safeguards to protect individuals from marginalized communities in professional spaces.
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