MP Dalit officer launches forum against caste bias

A Dalit IAS officer,who alleges that he is being discriminated against because of his caste,has announced the formation of Jaibhim Vichar Manch,a forum to promote Ambedkar thought.

Ramesh Thete (51),a 1993 batch officer,was suspended in a case of alleged bribery,only to be reinstated in May after successfully challenging his suspension in the Supreme Court.

Talking to The Indian Express,he said that he wanted to provide a platform to highlight injustice against Dalits,and to promote what Dr Babasaheb Amedkar stood for throughout his life. There are instances of Dalit sarpanchs being not allowed to hoist the national flag,he said,adding that the forum will highlight systemic issues.

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A poet and singer,Thete said he would revive Shilpkar,a musical show devoted to the life and works of Ambedkar. In the show,he would sing along with noted performers Anuradha Paudwal and Sadhna Sargam. There is no bar on bureaucrats participating in cultural and social activities,Thete said,adding that he will seek a written permission from the state government.

Thete was suspended in 2002,reinstated within a month,and suspended again in 2005. He was Director of Employment and Training when an ITI principal accused him of demanding a bribe. After a protracted legal battle,the SC ordered his reinstatement and held there was no evidence against him in the case. Thete had threatened to commit suicide in front of the PMO when there was a delay in his reinstatement.

He joined duty in May and was made Deputy Secretary in the Department of Rehabilitation when,he claims,he was due for the Secretarys post.