The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : End to another discrimination against Dalits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 11, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

End to another discrimination against Dalits

S. Sundar

Dalits at Irunjchirai no longer need to travel miles for a haircut

Cutting across lines: Officials and villagers standing outside the salon, opened to serve people of all castes at Irunjchirai in Virudhunagar district on Wednesday.

VIRUDHUNAGAR: At last, the Dalits of Irunjchirai village in Virudhunagar district have got a salon and a washerman to serve them. Now, they need not travel 7 to 15 km to get these services.

The silent suffering of the Dalits due to discrimination by caste Hindus for years has come to an end after a youngster, S. Gurusamy, stood up against them and sought legal intervention in 2007 to stop the social boycott.

After District Collector Sigy Thomas Vaidhyan admitted to discrimination of Dalits in the village, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court directed her to set right the problem at the earliest.

When the administration felt that village hairdressers and a washerman could not be forced to serve the Dalits too, it opted for an alternative – to set up common facilities to serve all.

On Wednesday, Aruppukottai Revenue Divisional Officer A. Ganesan inaugurated both the facilities, named after Thanthai Periyar, near Irunjchirai bus stop. Mr. Gurusamy was a proud man to get the service of a hairdresser at his village for the first time.

Besides the RDO, Tiruchuzhi Tahsildar T.R.D. Santhi, police officials and village leaders were present when the villagers of different castes availed themselves of the services.

Mr. Ganesan expected that Irunjchirai, despite earning a bad name in the past, could become an example of social equality for other regions in the days to come.

Ms. Santhi said the district administration, with the help of some donors, was able to get a shop and other paraphernalia for the salon and a cart for the washerman.

Housing facility

Efforts are on to provide permanent housing facility for the hair-dresser, S. Shanmugaraj, and washerman, I. Muthu, who have come from neighbouring Ramanathapuram district.

The washerman would soon take up washing of clothes of villagers after settling down.

“I have a feeling of having achieved independence (for our people). I am happy with the action taken by the officials. I wish things changed here for the better in future,” said Mr. Gurusamy.

Dalits had to travel either to Narikudi or Veeracholan even for a haircut for their children or to get their dresses pressed. “Only recently did the village become free of two-tumbler system and we are now allowed to walk wearing chappals,” he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu