Dalita Aatma Gourava Yatra (Dalit self esteem rally)
Andhra Pradesh Dalitha Samakhya (APDS), under the leadership of K. Sreenivasulu, has been organizing rallies at the state level on annual basis to motivate dalits across the state. This year, a Ratha Yatra (Chariot Rally) was organized APDS, Andhra Pradesh Dalitha Samakhya (APDS), under the leadership of K. Sreenivasulu, has

been organizing rallies at the state level on annual basis to motivate dalits across the state. This year, a Ratha Yatra (Chariot Rally) was organized APDS, which was christened “Dalita Atma Gourava Yatra” (DAGY), as part of its continuous annual rally programme. Previously, a cycle rally (2002) and a foot rally (2003) were organized by APDS.

DAGY started at Anantapur town on 22 October 2004 and culminated at Kurnool town on 10 December 2004. Totally five districts were covered by the rally including, Anantapur, Chittoor, Mahaboobnagar, Kadapa and Kurnool.

DAGY entered BIRDS operational area, in Rudravaram Mandal, on 5 December 2004 at Gajulapalli village in Mahanandi Mandal. Dalits of Rudravaram participated in the rally in huge numbers, accompanying the rally through Chenchugedem, Kotakonda, Yellavathula and Sreerangapuram villages. At Sreerangapuram a public meeting was organized, after a flag hoisting ceremony. Proceeding further the rally reached Rudravaram at 7 in the evening, where another public meeting was conducted. The rally reached Muthyalapadu (BIRDS Training Center and Organic Farm) at 9.30 PM, after passing through villages falling on the way and participants rested there for the day. The next morning on 6 December 2005, Dalits of Rudravaram area bid farewell to DAGY at Chagalamarri town, after celebrating Dr.B.R.Ambedkar’s death ceremony.

On 10 December 2004 DAGY entered Kurnool town at 12 noon. With the participation of APDS activists, the DAGY proceeded in the form of a big rally from C Camp to STBC Grounds, culminating in a huge public meeting attended by about forty thousand Dalits from across the state. The public meeting was also attended by all Project Directors, Mandal Coordinators and Activists of all partner NGOs.  The country Director of Action Aid India, Mr. Babu Mathews addressed the gathering, apart from APDS leader Mr. Mr. K. Sreenivasulu, Founder-Convenor of APDS, Mr. K. Swamidas and Programme Officer of Action Aid India, Mr. P. Anjaiah.

Apart from this major event, other non-violent protest actions, during the reporting period include;  

• A Rally on 14/04/04 in Rudravaram town.
• A Divisional level Jeep Rally from Nandyal to Gnanapuram village on 24/04/04.
• A Dharna at MRO Office, Nandyal, on14/06/04.
• Three Dharnas at R.D.O office, Nandyal on 23/06/04, 24/06/04 and 27/07/04

Victory on Vettti (menial jobs)
Nakkaladinne is a remote village, located about 25 Kms from Rudarvaram mandal, in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. 276 families inhabit the village of which 35 families are Dalit. There was practice of vetti in the village, since time immemorial. Upper Caste families looked down upon Dalits and assigned them menial jobs such as burying dead human beings and animals. Though these kind of jobs are highly hazardous to health, in return the Dalits were paid in terms of one bottle (1 liter) of sara (locally brewed alcohol) and a meal. The meal was served after everybody attending death ceremony finished their turn. In case of animal death also, no cash was paid for the service. Instead, the Dalit was allowed skin the dead animal and take its hide. As part of DEP, BIRDS organized Dalits of Nakkaladinne into DS, in 2003. Dalits of the village participated actively in all the motivational meetings and trainings organized by BIRDS.

When Dalits were approached for burying dead body of a high caste person, they demanded suitable cash payment, in return of their service. Reacting violently to the just demand of Dalits, the higher castes attacked houses of Dalits, resulting in running away of all Dalit youths from the village. High caste people then caught hold of old Dalits and made them do the job under age-old norms. The next day, with facilitation of Rudravaram DS, Dalits of Nakkaladinne registered a criminal case against the attacking high caste people. Responding positively, the Sub Inspector of Police (SI) and Divisional Superintendent of Police (DSP) took initiative to talk to higher caste people and Dalits were permitted to enter the village again.

When another death of higher caste person occurred in April 2004, Dalits went to the Police Station and explained the SI and DSP about their demand for cash payment for services. Police summoned the higher caste people of the village to Rudravaram PS and explained about the legal implications of the practice and advised them to fix reasonable cash payment norm in the village. Having no other option, the higher caste leaders agreed to the suggestion and fixed cash payment for services of Dalits. Since then, Dalits of Nakkaladinne were paid an amount of INR 1200/- for burying the dead human and INR 500/- for carrying away the dead animal. This change of practice can be seen as a great achievement of Dalits of Nakkaladinne as they could wipe out the evil practice, prevalent since time immemorial.