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MLA K Babu booze slur on Chakkaliya rebounds

K. Babu (Nenmara) denies saying Dalits stayed out at night to booze.

Palakkad: CPM legislator K. Babu has courted a controversy over casteist remarks. Speaking about the alleged caste discrimination in the Ambedkar Colony at Muthalamada here, the Nenmara MLA said those who go to sleep at the temple in the colony fearing attacks at night were having a booze party. The colony had of late been tense, and the Chakkaliya community had sought protection saying they were threatened by police after a young woman eloped with an Ezhava man and registered their marriage.

After that, some from the community were spending nights at their temple fearing attacks by higher caste Hindus. Thrithala MLA V. T. Balram had recently visited the colony and dined with these Dalits. He said caste discrimination still existed there and Chakkaliyas had been discriminated against, and even there were separate taps for them to draw drinking water. Meanwhile, Mr Babu said he had not mentioned the name of any community in his speech on Friday.

“I spoke about people who gather at night in the colony to consume liquor, and it was not directed against the Chakkaliyas,” MLA said. Kollamkode sub-inspector Aneesh P. B. also said as Chakkaliyas were in the majority with 300 homes there was no "scope" for others - Ezhavas and Gounders - to threaten them. “The use of liquor has been a major problem, and all the inmates of the colony who are otherwise calm and friendly tend to talk on caste lines and quarrel after consuming liquor at night,” he said.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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