Representatives of both sides have approached police for withdrawal of cases
In a significant move, the caste Hindus and Dalits of Uthapuram village, who fought over the ‘wall of untouchability', have taken the next step forward to sinking their long-drawn enmity and embrace peace.
Representatives of both sides on Tuesday jointly met Deputy Inspector General of Police (Madurai), B. Bala Naga Devi, and Superintendent of Police, Asra Garg, for the withdrawal of cases registered against the people of both sides.
Some 30 cases are pending against both sides since 2005, the DIG told reporters. They include cases for attempt to murder, those under the Explosives Act and Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) Act.
“We will follow due procedures of law to withdraw all the cases.”
This is the second major step both sides have taken to bring about peace after the caste Hindus allowed Dalits to enter the Muthalamman temple in the presence of Mr. Garg on November 10 last year.
“This is part of the peace agreement reached by both parties on October 20, 2011,” Mr. Garg said. Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary Chinmaya Somasundaram, who, along with former Aavin General Manager K. Athimoolam brokered the peace, said that people of both sides had suffered a lot socially and economically ever since the fresh bout of tension in the village near Usilampatti in recent years.
The ‘wall of untouchability' on a common pathway dividing the Dalits from caste Hindus was demolished by the district administration in 2008. “We (caste Hindus) are ready to allow people of all communities into our temple. This peace process has given the village a new lease of life,” said an auditor and leader of the caste Hindus, B. Murugesan.
“We (people of both the sides) have realised that we cannot fight each other forever,” Dalit leader K. Ponnaiah said. “Though not all the people of the caste Hindus were happy about our entry into the temple, we were, indeed, given a warm welcome by some of them.”
Both want the State government to expedite development works such as the construction of a bus shelter and diversion of sewerage lines that drain sewage into the Dalit areas.
Asked about the main bone of contention of the Dalits – right to worship in the temple – Mr. Garg said that the temple was under construction and soon kumbabhishekam would be performed. “After that both the parties can enter it.” . On allowing the Dalits to use vehicles on the common pathway, Additional Superintendent of Police A. Myil Vaganan said that the pathway was being put to maximum use and was open for Dalits too. “There are some encroachments on it. Once it is widened, bigger vehicles can be allowed.”
Mr. Garg said that the police pickets would stay as a precautionary measure.
Keywords: caste Hindus, Dalits, Uthapuram village, untouchability
Electronic media don't have time for such positive development!! They only search for negative for glorifying it. It is a small development in a small village but, certainly a very good news for the whole country and for Hindu community. I appreciate the role played by VHP and other people. let this spread all over the country.I appreciate the "THE HINDU" for covering this news.
This is good news . I am American and am a Hindu . When I was researching and on the path to Hinduism , the caste system was a black stain in my thoughts and almost hindered me from making my devotion but Hinduism is so beautiful I kept my course . Om nama Shivaya
It is a very good news and all others should take it as an awakening call. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, our late President of India has said that in the ancient days, we were all regarded as "Shudras" by birth untill sactified by rituals into all "Brahmins". Please peruse his collection of lectures on Hinduism published as "Religion and Society"
by Harper Collins, New Delhi, 1995. It was first published in Great Britain in 1947. On page 129, caption "Caste and Untouchability", he clearly mentions it by quoting the various scriptures. It is a shame that it has got transformed into its ugly hood currently. It got worst during the British period who enjoyed its divisive politics for their good.
It is very good to hear the news. But it prevails in many parts of Ramnad Dt. Some miscreants from both sides are still indulging in the same activities In a Govt school students from a particular caste are still virulent in showing their caste feeling which could not controlled by the School authorities concern. Can it be eradicated.
Nice news... I am sure no other newp would be interested to cover such positive news except Hindu
This may be a small step, but is a
giant leap for hinduism. It is the
people movement that will succeed , and not
the government orders.This must be followed
and spread througout the coutry like a wild fire.
Hat off to sensible people.
That's really good...but it took such a long time...where in other parts of India untouchability was abolished 3-4 decades back, it is being removed in the second decade of 21st century in Tamil Nadu...There are high concentration of Intercaste Marriages in the cardle of Dalit upliftment i.e. in Maharashtra...Those families are doing really well, infact I am a product of Intercaste love-cum-arrange marriage...we will like to see if the same thing happens in Tamil Nadu
Let us remove these social barriers and superstitions which is essential for building the modern INdia
This is a great news for our Hindu community.Gods abode should be open for all the Hindus. I believe that caste Hindus would be doing a great service to Hindu Dharma if they remove obslacle that perpetuate division.
Caste related politics is the bane of Hindus. Sadly people in villages and small towns suffer the most because of it. However I feel, salvation of the Dalits is not in conversion, but in pursuit of education. Hindus need to create funds to provide quality and impartial education to the Dalits and those economically backward in the Hindu society. Such funds should be controlled with equal participation from all members of the Hindu society. Incentive should be given to bring back the misguided Dalits who converted out of social stigma associated with their castes and be granted high-caste status. To those Hindus who are doing well in their lives, should volunteer towards upliftment of Dalits in Hindu society. Because of our caste politics, Hindus lost the power to foreign religions. It is time to reflect and do the needful to improve the Hindu society. Charity starts at home. I don't see any Hindu Charity missions and missionaries.
A very praiseworthy step.VHP should be praised for playing an important role during the whole process.
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