Dalits only get peon jobs? Tamil Nadu government’s new guidelines spark a big controversy!

Dalit organizations protest against Tamil Nadu government’s new SOP, accuse it of violating the provisions of SC/ST Act

Published on: 20 May 2025, 1:52 pm

Madurai: The Tamil Nadu government has rejected allegations by Dalit rights activists that the standard operating procedure (SOP) recently issued by the Tribal and Adidravidar Welfare Department weakens the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act , 2015.

Speaking to a media house, C. Karupaiah, State Secretary of Dalit Mukti Andolan (DLM), said, “The SOP issued a few weeks ago mentions that under Rule 12, an FIR can be registered by an Inspector who is also recognised as the Investigating Officer (IO). This is completely wrong. Section 12 of the SC/ST Act clearly states that a police officer below the rank of DSP cannot be made an IO.”

He further said, “The SOP also states that the inspector will send the FIR to the SP so that an IO can be appointed. While according to the Act, the SP has to first inspect the spot and only then appoint an investigating officer.”

Karupaiya also expressed displeasure over the guidelines related to giving compensation and government jobs to the family members of the victims. He said, “The SOP states that the family of the victim can be given financial assistance only for graduation level education. Whereas according to the SC/ST Act, whether it is graduation or post graduation, assistance should be given for all levels of education.”

Kathir, founder of human rights organisation Evidence , also criticised the SOP. He said, “Apart from the appointment of the investigating officer, there are many flaws in the SOP. When I raised these issues on social media, an official from the department contacted me and said that these will be fixed soon. But we suspect that the government is not serious about preventing atrocities against the SC/ST community.”

Kathir also said, “The law clearly states that the victim’s kin should get a government job. But in many cases it has been seen that postgraduate degree holders are being given the job of peon or office assistant, which is extremely humiliating.”

Reacting to this, Lakshmi Priya, Secretary, Adi Dravida and Tribal Welfare Department, said, “It has always been the procedure that the DSP is the investigating officer. The FIR is registered by the SHO (Station House Officer), who can be an inspector as it is necessary to register the FIR immediately. Subsequent action is taken by the DSP. We will take necessary action after investigating other points.”