Madras: V. M. Velu, Secretary of the Atomic Energy Department (Government of India) SC & ST Employees Union, Kalpakkam, writes that in his office there are only 700 Dalits of the 3,700 employees. And these Dalits are the worst victims of Hindu imperialism. Hindu employees stabbed him on March 19 in broad day light and night before the police station. A. Ramakrishna, vice-president of the Association, was seriously assaulted by Hindus on the night of Nov. 30 1978. In both the cases, no action was taken by the police despite written complaints. M. Periyaswamy, leading fireman of the factory, was stabbed by Hindus on Dec. 4-80. The Hindus removed the portrait of Dr. Ambedkar unveiled by the Dalit employees inside the factory recreation club. P. Manoharan was assaulted by Hindus on Jan. 1.
In the light of these “continued naked aggression on poor Dalit employees by the Hindus,” the Dalit employees at a general body meeting on July 10 decided to quit Hinduism and embrace Islam on Aug. 15, Independence day, he says.
