TIRUVANNAMALAI: The Tiruvannamalai Collector, K Tharpagaraj, on September 18, announced the construction of a new cement road costing Rs 50 lakh in Mothakkal village in Thandarampattu taluk. The road is being built on private land that currently has an earthen pathway used by Scheduled Caste (SC) villagers to carry deceased members to the burial ground. The collector appreciated the landowners, who belong to the Vanniyar community, for donating the land for “public welfare.”
However, the SC residents said their demand was not for a new road but for access to the existing public road at Murugan Koil Street, which is used by the rest of the village.
Adi Dravidar families TNIE spoke to said they had petitioned the collector for a common public road and were not seeking a separate one. “It only reinforces the idea that people of our community are not entitled to equal space in the village,” one resident said.
Caste discrimination has been prevalent in Mothakkal for years, forcing around 200 Adi Dravidar families to use the alternative earthen road to carry bodies to the burial ground. Aravindan*, a resident, said, “Our people are scared to use the actual road. Two weeks ago, a person died, and when we tried to use the original road, the police and revenue officials discouraged us, saying it would create unnecessary issues when there was already an alternative route.”
Residents said fear has long been instilled by upper-caste villagers, leaving many Dalit families questioning whether they could take the bodies through the public road safely.
Following multiple incidents of tension when attempting to use the public road, G Muniyappan, a villager, filed a writ of Mandamus at the Madras High Court in December 2024, seeking police protection for SC residents. In April 2025, the court directed that the people could approach the police, who would render any assistance necessary. Even after four months, residents allege they are still not allowed to use the common road. Aravindan said, “When we seek police protection, the police themselves are scared of problems arising. What can we do then?”
Mayan*, another resident, added, “It might be useful for the farmers, who are also Vanniyars, to bring their tractors, but it is of no use to us.”
Vetri Sangamitra, a VCK leader from Tiruvannamalai, described the new road as “a road of untouchability” and alleged it was a ploy to keep SC families away from the public road. “Even though it’s officially called a public road, it will only be used by SC people. The dominant caste members will not use it,” he said.
Speaking to TNIE, Collector Tharpagaraj refuted these allegations. “Anybody can use both roads—the existing public road and the upcoming new road. When it rains, the mud road is in bad condition. Vehicles cannot pass, and neither can people walk, let alone transport bodies. The new road is built with this in mind. The work has started and will be completed in a couple of days,” he said.
The SP Tiruvannamalai and DSP were not available for comment.
(*Names changed)