NHRC slams bureaucratic rigmarole in restoring dignity of Rajasthan village

NEW DELHI - National Human Rights Commission has said that bureaucratic rigmarole is causing delay in restoration of the dignity of a Rajasthani village that seems to have been named in contravention of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989.

The case is related to a village in Rajasthan. Originally named as ‘Kuwan Ka Vas’, but changed to ‘Chamaron Ka Vas’ in 1987 in land records by a Lekhpal of the area allegedly due to ill will.

People living in this village falling under Hingota Panchayat, District Dausa, have been fighting pillar to post for over two decades to restore the respectability to the name of their village.

The village is inhabited by Berwa community.

Observing years of bureaucratic delays and procrastinations of the matter concerned, on May 5, 2010, the NHRC in its proceedings observed that it “is distressed to note that in a democratic country like India, whose Constitution clearly prohibits any discrimination on the basis of castes, religion, languages etc, the name of the village ‘Chamaron Ka Vas’ is not only derogatory but, perhaps, also constitutes criminal offence under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Here is the casewhich is in direct conflict with the Constitutional mandate.

“It is highly frustrating that a matter, which was represented against in the year 2006 has dragged on, on account of the bureaucratic rigmarole. If enough sensitivity had been displayed, the name of the village could have been changed much earlier and the feelings of a particular community could have been assuaged,” an NHRC release stated while adding that it will be appropriate to ask Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs to get the matter expedited and the decision of the Ministry be communicated to the Commission as early as possible.”

The Commission gave six weeks time for the response in the matter. (ANI)