Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Does a 28-Year-Old Case of Dalit Atrocity Pose a Threat to YSRCP's Prospects in Andhra Pradesh?

Hyderabad- In a significant development, a special court in Andhra Pradesh is expected to deliver its verdict on April 16 in a highly-publicized 28-year-old case of Dalit oppression.

The accused individuals in this case include Yuvajana Shramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Thota Trimurthulu and his supporters. The incident dates back to December 29, 1996, when it is alleged that the accused men forcibly tonsured two Dalit youths in Venkatayapalem village, located in East Godavari district.

With Trimurthulu now holding a position as a YSRCP Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), the outcome of the trial holds considerable significance, particularly in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Should he be convicted, it is anticipated that opposition parties will spare no effort in leveraging the case to their advantage.

Originally scheduled for April 12, the verdict was postponed due to the absence of the presiding judge, who handles cases related to atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The YSRCP is awaiting the decision with bated breath ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled in the state on May 13. The ruling party finds itself in a precarious position as Trimurthulu, an accused in the case, currently holds a position as a YSRCP MLC. It is pertinent to note that Dalit and human rights organizations are fervently advocating for justice on behalf of the victims.

Despite the passage of nearly three decades, the alleged incident continues to deeply affect the Dalit community, while much of society may have moved on. For Dalits, the memory of the day when their heads were forcibly shaved by the henchmen of the then MLA of Ramachandrapuram, Thota Trimurthulu, remains etched in their psyche, serving as a painful reminder of past injustices.

The delay in delivering justice has sparked the ire of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. In February, the High Court directed the special court in Visakhapatnam, tasked with handling SC/ST atrocities cases, to expedite proceedings in the case.

The incident, which took place on January 4, 1997, in Venkatayapalem, approximately 30 km from Kakinada, led to an FIR being filed by the Dakshramam police. Expressing dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in providing justice, the High Court reprimanded the special court for its failure to obtain caste certificates from the victims and record their statements. The court emphasized that such lapses violated Section 311 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The allegations against Trimurthulu and others revolve around the forcible shaving of the heads of Koti Chinna Raju and Dandala Venkataratnam, who were employed as daily wage laborers in the state electricity department at the time. Additionally, supporters of the MLAs purportedly assaulted three other individuals during the incident.

The attack was allegedly motivated by political vendetta, with eyewitnesses asserting that the assailants held a grudge against Dalits for assisting the election agents of the BSP candidate during the 1994 election for the Ramachandrapuram assembly seat.

Trimurthulu, who was an independent candidate at the time, emerged victorious in the election. Witnesses claimed that Dalit youths, serving as agents for BSP candidates, had attempted to thwart Trimurthulu's supporters from rigging the election.

Subsequently, the police swiftly registered the case before Dalit organizations could raise objections, leading to the arrest of Trimurthulu and nine others, who were then incarcerated at Rajahmundry Central Jail. Trimurthulu, however, was later granted bail.

An influential figure within the Kapu caste in the Ramachandrapuram assembly constituency, Trimurthulu has traversed various political affiliations over the years. After initially winning as an independent candidate in 1994, he joined the TDP and secured re-election in 1999. He later joined Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam party but faced defeat in the 2009 elections.

Following the merger of Praja Rajyam with the Congress, Trimurthulu became associated with the latter party. He reclaimed his position as MLA in a by-election in 2012 but returned to the TDP in 2014, winning the subsequent election.

In the 2019 elections, he contested on a TDP ticket but was defeated by YSRCP candidate Choudhary Srinivas Venugopala Krishna, who currently serves as the BC Welfare Minister. Subsequently, Trimurthulu joined the YSRCP and was appointed as in-charge of Mandapet.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, recognizing Trimurthulu's influence within the Kapu caste, nominated him to the Legislative Council as an MLC.