Dalit body seeks action against discrimination faced by SCs - The HinduPublished - August 24, 2026 08:58 pm IST - ONGOLECPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao delivers the inaugural address at the ‘Samajika Sankharavam Maha Dharna’, in front of Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole on Monday. | Photo Credit: KOMMURI SRINIVASEven after eight decades of Indian Independence, Scheduled Caste (SC) people are still facing discrimination, said V. Srinivasa Rao, national leader of Dalit Shoshan Mukti Manch (DSMM), which organised the ‘Samajika Sankharavam Maha Dharna’, in front of Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole on Monday.Addressing the media, he said that if the issues plaguing Dalit localities in the State were not resolved within the next three months, ‘Chalo Amaravati’ would be launched in December 2026. This follows a campaign conducted over the past two months by Kula Vivaksha Porata Samithi (KVPS), an organisation for struggle against caste discrimination.Mr. Srinivasa Rao stated that people in Dalit localities were forced to struggle for basic amenities such as drinking water, roads, housing, education, and healthcare. “The discrimination persists even in the conduct of final rites at cremation grounds. Even in the capital city of Amaravati, there are occurences where houses are not rented out to SCs,” he claimed.“The SC employees face discrimination at their workplaces as well. The government has failed to implement rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the law. A comprehensive audit must be done on the utilisation of SC/ST sub-plan funds. Dalit entrepreneurs have been forced to take to the streets with their families as the subsidy funds were not released to them,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao added.Published - August 24, 2026 08:58 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }