Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Caste bias still prevalent in Theni villages

MADURAI: Eleven reserved panchayat presidents in Theni district have gone on record that caste bias prevailed in their villages in more than one form.

A study conducted by Evidence, a Madurai-based human rights organisation, in Theni district reveals more. For decades, Dalits were denied entry into temples, forced not to use footwear in public places, use “designated” tumblers at teashops and made to convey death messages.

Things did not change much after these villages were declared reserved panchayats. Now, the elected chiefs suffer discrimination in office as well.

The Evidence team visited Theni district in the first week of November. Of the 20 reserved panchayats where a fact-finding team interacted with Dalits, panchayat presidents in 11 villages signed and affixed seal on printed questionnaires confirming various forms of caste discrimination.

Confirming that double-tumbler system prevailed in 11 villages, Evidence executive director A. Kathir said a couple of teashops in a village had an elevated platform for caste Hindus while Dalits had to sit on a one-foot platform.

Displaying photographs in support of his claim, he said that inspection by any neutral agency to these villages would reveal the facts.

In a handwritten affirmation on her letterhead, Nariyoothu Panchayat president, R. Palaniammal, said that Dalits were not allowed to enter temples (Kamatchiamman and Pathinettampadi).

After she took over as panchayat chief, her husband, Raju, was forced to convey death messages to neighbouring villages.

The panchayat administration in the village was even worse.

While the Accountant refused to show any records to the president, the office assistant forcibly obtained her signature on blank papers.

Ms. Palaniammal added that when the grievances were brought to the notice of the Block Development Officer, he directed her to function as per instructions of the panchayat clerk.

If the Okkaraipatti Panchayat president, S. Jegannathan, agreed that double-tumbler system was prevalent in his village, Kadamalaikundu president, P. Nagaraj, said that he had no support from officials and important decisions were often taken without his knowledge.

Mr. Kathir said that he had sent a copy of the report to the National Commission of SC/ST, National Human Rights Commission and the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu seeking appropriate action.

The demands of the report include declaring the 20 reserved panchayats in Theni district as “atrocities-prone villages,” field visit by the Collector and Superintendent of Police and public hearing by a high-power committee.

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