Human Rights Commission to organize Scheduled Caste Hearing

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will organise a three-day open hearing in Chennai to listen to complaints from members of the Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu, an official said.

Of the 1,000 complaints, 317 complaints have been shortlisted for the open hearing which will start Aug 7.

A delegation headed by NHRC Chairperson K.G. Balakrishnan will also hear the problems faced by these people in seeking justice from the state agencies.

The complaints primarily relate to denial of benefits of social welfare schemes, denial of entry to temples, non-issuance of caste certificates, police inaction and land grabbing by upper castes.

Besides, the commission will representatives of NGOs, top police officials and the state’s chief secretary.

Prior to this, the rights panel has held open hearings of complaints of Scheduled Castes in Odisha and Gujarat.