Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 16, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Feb 16, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
UDUMALPET: An uneasy calm prevailed in the small hamlet of Salarapatty, 8 km from here, as all the 11 teashops run by two sections of caste-Hindus have been closed for over a week reportedly after Dalits resisting the two-tumbler system (glass tumblers for caste-Hindus and disposable cups for Dalits). The problem broke out when Dalits approached the Kumaralingam Police Station in protest against the reported two-tumbler system in tea shops in their village, which the caste-Hindus denied. The police officials intervened and warned that such practices could not be allowed. They warned that they would arrest those indulging in such practices. The next day, the caste-Hindus shut down all the tea shops. While owners of two teashops, situated close to Dalit residences, opened their shops on Thursday, three other shop owners belong to another section partially ransacked the shops forcing them to close indefinitely. “We have no other option but to open the shop to eke out a living. But they (another section of caste-Hindus) did not allow us to open the shop,” complained Balamani, who runs the shop. Based on a complaint of her husband Krishnan Chettiyar, three persons have been arrested. “We are not asking any privilege but equal right. We cannot tolerate untouchability any more,” remarked Chinnan (43), secretary of Adhi Thamilar Peravai of Salarapatty. He alleged that a powerful section preventing others to open the shops. The residents have been travelling 3 km to Krishnapuram to have a cup of tea. When enquired among the caste-Hindus on why the shops were closed, they claimed that it was not a decision of village elders. They claimed the shop owners had voluntarily shut down the shops. On Friday, the authorities have conducted a peace meeting at the Gudimangalam Police Station in the presence of Udumalpet Tahsildar D. Chandra Bose. “The caste-Hindus have agreed to serve tea on disposable cups to both the sections. And agreed to allow Dalits to sit on chairs in the shops,” Mr. Bose told The Hindu.
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