The Hindu : Panel skips Dalit colonies

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 19, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Panel skips Dalit colonies

By S. Dorairaj

A Dalit, who protested at a Pappapatti meeting of the high-power panel on Thursday, against denial of a fair chance to his community for expressing its feelings at meetings, being whisked away by plainclothesmen. — Photo: S. James

MADURAI SEPT. 18. A high-power committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government to study the situation in reserved panchayats, which go to the polls on October 9, did not visit Dalit colonies in any of the villages today.

The committee, comprising AIADMK Ministers and elected representatives, held meetings with villagers in government schools at Nattarmangalam and Keeripatti in Madurai district. The venue at Pappapatti was a `Thevar mandapam'. Many of the committee members worshipped at a `Thevar temple' at Keeripatti. They were received with `kulavai' and `aarti' by caste-Hindu women.

In none of the three villages, did Dalits present their views. The two Dalit representatives on the panel — Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister C. Karuppasamy and Deputy Speaker Varagur Arunachalam — did not address the villagers.

The nine-member panel, led by the PWD Minister, O. Paneerselvam, had been asked to visit these villages to find out the reason for non-conduct of the panchayat elections, besides explaining to the locals their right to rule themselves.

Though the Thevars claimed that they lived in harmony with Scheduled Castes, some Dalits told newsmen that they continued to be voiceless, without even enjoying the freedom to exercise their franchise in panchayat and general elections.

A middle-aged Dalit caused a flutter near the Pappapatti meeting venue, protesting against `denial of a fair chance' to his community members to express their feelings at the meetings. He was whisked away by plainclothesmen.

Mr. Paneerselvam and others, including the AIADMK treasurer and MP, C. Srinivasan, who compered the functions in all the three villages; another party MP and former State Election Commissioner, K. Malaisamy, and the All-India Forward Bloc leader and MLA, L. Santhanam, appealed to the caste-Hindus to take a `good decision' on conducting the panchayat elections, as the Opposition was attempting to rake up the issue with a view to tarnishing the image of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa.

Mr. Paneerselvam said elected panchayats would go a long way in facilitating speedy implementation of development and welfare schemes of the Government. He expressed his appreciation of the caste-Hindus' assertion that they lived in harmony with the Dalits.

Mr. Malaisamy blamed the previous DMK Government for the acrimony existing in these villages. He urged the caste-Hindus to understand the good intentions of the Chief Minister in forming the committee. Mr. Santhanam, in a lighter vein, said he would appreciate the Thevars for their `adamant' stand, which resulted in the formation of the panel.

Mr. Srinivasan presented money to some women near the Thevar Mandapam for greeting the committee members with `aarthi'.

The members assured the people that civic amenities would soon be improved in all three villages.

Piramalai Kallars form 79 per cent of the electorate at Nattarmangalam, 81 per cent at Pappapatti and 82 per cent at Keeripatti, while Dalits account for only around 16 per cent in all three panchayats.

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