Seoni, Madhya Pradesh: A hundred tribal families lived with this declaration painted on their walls: I am poor.
The humiliating disclosure was forced upon them by the local panchayats in Goplaganj in Madhya Pradesh. The intention was to clearly indicate which families are genuine Below Poverty Line (BPL) cases, so that they can collect their share of free rations. However, the families in question did not consent to this.
Families like Bheekham's who asked that the signs erased immediately. "It is very painful to be branded like this. Now that everyone has come to know we are poor, it will be difficult to get proposals for our daughter," Bheekham says.
The administration, embarrassed by media reports, has removed the signs. But what has upset tribals is that this is not the first time that they've had to fight for their dignity.
Last year, the same thing was done in neighbouring Narsinghpur. This time, the tribals have complained to the National Human Rights Commission. "The markings have been removed and the matter will be investigated," said Savitha Samle, a senior official of the District Panchayat.
The humiliating disclosure was forced upon them by the local panchayats in Goplaganj in Madhya Pradesh. The intention was to clearly indicate which families are genuine Below Poverty Line (BPL) cases, so that they can collect their share of free rations. However, the families in question did not consent to this.
Families like Bheekham's who asked that the signs erased immediately. "It is very painful to be branded like this. Now that everyone has come to know we are poor, it will be difficult to get proposals for our daughter," Bheekham says.
Last year, the same thing was done in neighbouring Narsinghpur. This time, the tribals have complained to the National Human Rights Commission. "The markings have been removed and the matter will be investigated," said Savitha Samle, a senior official of the District Panchayat.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Watch: Chopper Rescues Madhya Pradesh Man Trapped On Tree In Flooded River 90-Year-Old Woman Living In Small Hut In Karnataka Gets An Electricity Bill Worth Rs 1.03 Lakh Holding Below Poverty Line Card When Ineligible To Face Action In Karnataka MK Stalin Asks Centre To Recall Tamil Nadu Governor In Row Over Anthem Watch: Harris's Witty Reply Stumps Hecklers Backing Trump, Crowd Applauds Tamil Nadu Police's Counter Petition In Supreme Court Against Sadhguru Trump Says He Would Impose Tariffs On China If It Went Into Taiwan Vistara's Delhi-London Flight Diverted To Frankfurt After Bomb Threat Harris, Trump Barnstorm Key State Michigan, Where Polls Say They're Tied Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.