MADURAI: Somethings never change in the State, at least in certain remote parts of south Tamil Nadu. Like the way we treat our Dalits. Take the double-tumbler system. The obnoxious system still exists at Vadivelkarai village near Madurai, but with a slight twist.
Call it continuity with change if you will. Instead of two separate sets of tumblers for the Dalits and the caste Hindus, the former now get use-and-throw tumblers made of coconut shells. The ‘new’ system doesn’t make the discrimination as stark as it was earlier, but there is no denying that it exists.
Express witnessed the discrimination at a teashop there. While Dalits were offered tea in disposable tumblers, caste Hindus got their hot beverage in steel tumblers. The Dalits didn’t muster courage to seek equal treatment.
Azhagupandi, a Dalit from the village, told Express that though no one talks about the double-tumbler system existing here, the reality was it still exists, but remains subtle. “One has to live with us to experience the discrimination we are subjected to,” he said.
Double-tumber system is not the only kind of discrimination Dalits of this village have to face. On August 13, Murugan (25), son of Amavasi, of Dalit settlement in Vadivelkarai was allegedly attacked by Anandan, who two years ago had attacked Murugan’s brother and was booked under the SC/ST Act for the same.
Anandan had reportedly attacked Murugan allegedly due to the intolerance of caste Hindus to a Dalit man’s completion of his post-graduation and because Murugan rode his bicycle through the caste Hindus’ settlement which the Dalits have to cross to reach their settlement (where unwritten rule exists that Dalits should not ride their bicycle in that area).
It took 13 stitches in Murugan’s head to stop bleeding and he was undergoing treatment in the Government Rajaji Hospital till Monday.
Asked about the double-tumbler system, L Arumugam, president, Vadivelkarai panchayat, said that the practice did not exist at the village and added that it would have existed years ago.
When questioned about the attack on Dalits, Arumugam said he had witnessed seven such incidents in which both sides were injured.
M Manohar, Superintendent of Police, told Express that no caste discrimination was brought to his notice. But the Marxists had made representations to stage demonstration at that village which was dropped following the assurances given by him to take action based on the merits of the case, Manohar said. There was no caste tension in that particular area, he added.
Cases were filed against Anandan under Sections 341, 324 IPC and 3(1(10)) of SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1987.
Meanwhile, Anandan had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Murugan ran over him with a bicycle and attacked him when asked to justify the accident.
In this complaint, police have registered a case against Murugan under Sections 324 and 506(2).
Anandan was arrested.