Wall of untouchability still divides tamil nadu villagers

It’s been 67 years since untouchability was legally abolished in India. But, at the tiny village of Sandaiyur in Tamil Nadu, the practise still persists in the form of a wall, that too, in defiance to a high court order.
Wall of untouchability still divides tamil nadu villagers

MADURAI : It’s been 67 years since untouchability was legally abolished in India. But, at the tiny village of Sandaiyur in Tamil Nadu, the practise still persists in the form of a wall, that too, in defiance to a high court order.The wall of untouchability that stands tall at 50 feet at Sandaiyur divides Paraiyar, the dominant community, from those belonging to Arunthathiyar. The Aadi Thamilar Katchi, in a public grievance meeting last week, demanded the authorities concerned to demolish the untouchability wall, constructed four years ago.

Viduthalai Veeran, State Finance Secretary, Aadi Thamilar Katchi, said: “We belong to the Arunthathiyar community and in Sandaiyur, Paraiyar community is dominant. They erected a 50 feet wall in government poramboke land, dividing the two groups. The dominant community members are not letting us enter the temple and aganwadi, located in their area. Rajakaliamman temple located in our area is also controlled by them. We are facing discrimination. In spite of several petitions to the collector regarding the issue, no action has been taken yet.”

Stating that the Madras Bench of Madurai High Court had directed the revenue officials and Peraiyur Taluk Tahsildar to take action in the issue on August 21, 2017, Viduthalai Veeran said: “Until now, officials did not take any action.

This may lead to a law and order issue in the area. And, delaying the implementation of the high court order will give way for the opponent parties to file an appeal. Our opposite parties have strong political background. They always used to threaten us.”He further requested the revenue officials to taken action as per the Madurai Bench of Madurai High Court direction and demolish the ‘untouchability wall’.

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