Poster by Dalit outfits creates flutter

A poster released by the Arunthathiyar Ilaignar Peravai and other Dalit outfits at Nagapalayam ward of Kodumudi town panchayat, informing that a “caste wall” in the area  will be demolished on July 2, created a flutter there on Thursday.

The peravai had, last week, submitted a petition to the Superintendent of Police seeking removal of the 400 feet long, 4 feet high wall, that exists on the pathway to the SC colony and a Mariamman temple in the area.

According to them, it was constructed by the Caste Hindus to prevent Dalits from entering the temple.

On Wednesday night, posters informing about the demolition were seen in the area, leading to tension. As word spread, over 300 residents of Nagapalayam, Aandikadu, Vadakku Murthipalayam, Therku Murthipalayam, Vellianaikattur, Thaluvampalayam, Arasampalayam and Pallakattupudhur, Ganapathypalayam areas assembled there. KMK headquarters secretary S Suriyamurthy and functionaries Balu and Vajravel, along with others, lodged a complaint with the Kodumudi police. Following this, RDO Sugumar, DSP Gunasekaran and other revenue officials visited the spot and held an inquiry.

They told the village heads that necessary action will be taken on the issue after verifying the village records and appealed to the people to disperse peacefully. Local residents demanded that the district administration tackle the issue to ease the tension in the area. Residents had assembled there two days ago and raised objection to remarks of some Dalit outfits who alleged that “untouchability” was being practised in the village citing the wall. 

However, the villagers have planned to submit a petition to the Collector against any move to raze the century-old wall.

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