SALEM: The Dalits ostracise them. Pallars, Parayars and even Arunthathiyars, who have been fighting untouchability practised by caste Hindus neglect them. They live as untouchables among untouchables in `cheris' and colonies.

Known as `Thurumbars' alias `Pudirai Vannans,' they are considered to be the lowest sub-sect in the hierarchy of Dalit caste groups in Tamil Nadu. Here, the dominant Dalits force them to do menial jobs, which they detest doing for the caste Hindus.

The Thurumbars are forced to live on the fringes of the Dalit colonies. The dominant Dalits do not permit them to live in clusters. A handful of families alone are permitted to live on the periphery of their `cheris' (slums) and colonies, primarily to look after the needs of the dominant group.

"We have been doing menial jobs for Dalit families, which the other Dalits hate to do,'' says Periyanayagam, a 70-year-old Thurumbar caste woman of Kootathupatti in Salem district. While women wash soiled clothes, men shave and clean bodies and convey the news of death of dominant Dalit to others in the villages. "We get Rs.10 and some cooked rice," says Selvi (30) of Pachapatti village. Her family members have been doing these menial jobs for three generations now.

Thurumbar families are forced to live on `poromboke' land abetting the `cheris' and burial grounds. Their children are not permitted to sit in classrooms. "In many schools, particularly in the ones that are functioning in colonies, we are asked to sit separately or far from other Dalit students," says Selvam, son of Periyavan of Kootathupatti.

Dominant Dalits believe that seeing the Thurumbars itself is inauspicious. The victims of discrimination say the law-enforcing authorities are reluctant to register cases against those who practise untouchability.S. Senthilkumar, president of People's Federation of Social Justice, which organised a rally here on Wednesday, says even if cases are registered, they remain on paper in Andipatti and Maramangalam villages in Salem district. Thurumbar Liberation Movement state organiser E.G. Arulvalan says caste certificates remain a problem. Nearly 12 lakh such people live as social outcasts in the `cheris' of Tamil Nadu.

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