Telangana High Court steps in to protect ostracised SC family

By Legal Correspondent Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has stepped in to protect the rights of a Scheduled Caste (Madiga) family facing social ostracism in their village due to their refusal to adhere to traditional occupation practices. Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy ordered immediate police protection for P. Chandram, a resident of Gowthojigudem village in Medak […]

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has stepped in to protect the rights of a Scheduled Caste (Madiga) family facing social ostracism in their village due to their refusal to adhere to traditional occupation practices.

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Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy ordered immediate police protection for P. Chandram, a resident of Gowthojigudem village in Medak district, who was pressured by villagers to continue his family’s traditional role as drum players during ceremonies. The court’s directive comes in response to a troubling situation where Chandram, a 33-year-old postgraduate in commerce, moved to the city for a private job. Over recent months, he faced mounting pressure from villagers to abandon his employment and resume drum beating, a role his family has held for generations. On September 10, after he refused to comply, the villagers convened a Gram Sabha and resolved to socially boycott him and his family.

Chandram’s counsel, Senior Advocate V. Raghunath, highlighted the severe consequences of this boycott. The family struggled to procure basic necessities, with reports indicating that Chandram’s daughter faced isolation at school, as her peers were warned against associating with her. The social stigma became so pronounced that the family could not even secure milk for their five-year-old child. After filing a complaint with the local police, an FIR was registered, but little action was taken beyond that. Instead, villagers escalated their intimidation, demanding the return of ‘Inam land’ to the panchayat and threatening fines and physical punishment for anyone who defied the boycott.

Chandram’s petition underscored the inaction of local police, who reportedly only offered superficial responses and counselling to the accused villagers, despite the escalating threats against him. Following the court’s intervention, the Medak Superintendent of Police has been directed to ensure the family’s safety, while the District Collector has been instructed to provide relief and rehabilitation support.