Pamban in Ramanathapuram symbolises the communal harmony of the coastal southern district, where members from Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities live in unity. While the Swami Vivekananda Mandapam is situated on the seashores in Kundukaal, the Pamban Swamigal’s Memorial is located within a densely populated Muslim area.
The entrance of the street where the memorial is located has a notice on the wall of a house, which reads: “No public thoroughfare; area reserved for women.” However, there are no restrictions on the entry of people from any religious faith.
M Guhan, a member of the lineage of Pamban Swamigal, said “Hindus, Muslims and Christians have been living here for generations and address each other as Mama (uncle) and Macchan (nephew or brother-in-law).”
“We have put up this notice, only to restrict eve-teasing and movement of drunkards,” says K Seeni Syed Ammal, president of Kadarkarai Meenavar Kootturavu Sangam, a fishermen cooperative. The street serves as a short-cut to hit the main road and earlier drunkards used to tease the women while the men folk were away.
A Christian priest, Rev Samson noted that there were instances when inebriated men created nuisance by bathing in the street. M Mohandas, another resident, agreed that when the street was a thoroughfare it led to frequent instances of misbehaviour. “This is being wrongly propagated as a case of communal fatwa,” he added.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader and Ramanathapuram MLA M H Jawahirullah said no fatwa has been issued anywhere in the district. “Not only do non-Muslims visit these villages, they also invite Muslims for social functions,” he said.