Tamil Nadu: The struggle of Dalits created history, the wall of caste discrimination was broken after a decade!
The Tiruppur district administration last week demolished a part of the ‘untouchability wall’ separating the Dalit settlement from the rest of the population in Avinashi taluk.
Published on: 17 Feb 2024, 1:35 pm
Tiruppur: Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district administration last week demolished a portion of the ‘untouchability wall’, a symbol of caste discrimination, at Sewar village in Avinashi taluka that had long separated two residential areas and Scheduled Tribes of the area. Access to caste residents was restricted.
This action of breaking the wall was done to provide easy and quick access to other parts of the village to the local Dalit families. Earlier, Dalits had to take a detour of more than 2 km to reach the other side due to the wall. Due to this he had to face problems.
The call to demolish the wall was supported by social organizations such as the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF). (TNUEF) Tiruppur District Secretary C.K. Hailing the decision, Kanagaraj told The Mooknayak, “Our organization has been at the forefront of the 16-year fight to remove this symbol of caste-based segregation.”
According to the news of New Indian Express, before breaking the wall on February 4, the local administration had spoken to Sevar Panchayat President G Velusamy, who said, “The layout was passed in 2006 and the rules were not followed by the then Panchayat officials. it was done. Because of this a wall was built blocking the road. The road inside the layout belongs to the Panchayat and is a common road leading to Devendran Nagar. After the complaint of people of SC community, I visited the spot. This wall actually restricts the access of Scheduled Caste people. Last month I had issued them a notice to demolish the wall. But they were refusing to remove it. After this the Revenue Department issued a notice and took action to demolish the wall.
Here, officials of the local organization VIP Resident Welfare Association have expressed dissatisfaction over the action. However, the administration had scheduled a peace meeting between the two residential areas last Monday. Organization members argued that the revenue officials were hasty in demolishing a part of the wall.
Association officials told The Mooknayak that the wall was built for the safety of their residents, and they are now considering legal action against breaking the wall.
The development has now set the stage for a potential legal battle, highlighting the deep-seated social divisions and differing viewpoints around the ‘wall of untouchability’.
Caste walls are nothing new to Tamil Nadu. According to The Swaddle, in October 2022, a seven-foot-high caste wall was demolished by authorities in Tiruvallur following sustained demands from Dalit residents. The wall reportedly separated Dalit settlements from the local Hindu monastery. The report states that caste walls are a common practice of discrimination in the state and serve as a ‘modern tool’ to maintain untouchability.
