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--- Begin Message ---
Some Dalits Are Even Less Equal
The Arunthathiyars bear the weight of caste oppression in Tamil Nadu, says
R. Adhyaman
I belong to the Arunthathiyar community, the most oppressed of the
Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu, where Dalits comprise 20 percent of the
population. Of the 76 communities listed as SCs, the Paraiyars, the
Pallars and the Arunthathiyars are the three main groups.
Arunthathiyars constitute about one-third of the state's Dalit population
and live in miserable conditions, working as manual scavengers, cobblers
and agricultural labourers. Thousands are employed as conservancy workers
in civic bodies. Though they speak Telugu at home, their children go to
Tamil medium schools and follow Tamil customs. We are Tamils and that's
why I have named my organisation the Adhi Thamizhar Peravai.
All Dalits are not equal. Arunthathiyars are looked down upon by other
SCs. We bear the whole weight of caste oppression. It is no secret that
the two-tumbler system is still prevalent in many villages. But I have
news for you. There are villages where they keep three tumblers in tea
shops - one for the caste Hindu, one for the Arunthathiyar, and one for
the non-Arunthathiyar Dalit. The Pallars and Paraiyars think they are
superior to us. They don't inter-marry with us. The two Dalit parties in
the state, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal (VC, formerly known as Dalit Panthers
of India) and Puthiya Thamizhagam, represent the interests of the
Paraiyars and the Pallars respectively. In the last Assembly elections, VC
contested nine seats as part of the AIADMK front and all nine candidates
belonged to the Paraiyar community.
There are 44 reserved seats in the Assembly, but Arunthathiyars have never
won more than five seats. At present, there are three Arunthathiyar MLAS -
two in the DMK and one in the AIADMK. Paraiyars are the majority in the
northern districts, Pallars in the southern districts, and Arunthathiyars
in the western districts. No one except a Paraiyar can contest a reserved
seat in the north. Pallars rule the roost in the south. But when it comes
to areas where we are in majority, this rule does not apply. Parties field
non-Arunthathiyars and win.
The benefits of reservation for Dalits in Tamil Nadu have gone to Pallars
and Paraiyars. There is 18 percent reservation for SCS. Our demand is that
six percent of it should be earmarked for Arunthathiyars. We have
represented our demands to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and he has
promised to consider the matter. We have also asked him to take steps to
abolish manual scavenging. The CM granted one of our demands and formed a
welfare board for conservancy workers.
Adhiyaman is founder president, Adhi Thamizhar Peravai, a Dalit social
movement. As told to PC Vinoj Kumar
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=hub010907shadowlines.asp
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