It all began well but soon led to a life dotted with the ill-effects of social stigma.
It was in 2011 when Radhakrishnan, now 25, and his wife and their two children and two other children of a relative were at home that some members of the village they were in tried to set the house on fire as soon as they discovered that the couple was HIV positive. The local body banished them from the village and asked them to move out immediately.
Refusing to be edged out in such a cavalier manner, the family managed to purchase a piece of land in Thirumani panchayat near Chengalpattu Municipality and constructed a dwelling unit. They then applied to the Panchayat leader to give them a No Objection Certificate and patta for the property, to enable them to apply for electricity connection. Electricity connection was provided.
However, when it was time to get water connection, Mr. Radhakrishnan, who headed the network of positive persons in Kancheepuram district, found that his house was given the miss.
Neighbours also threatened the family against making a fair appeal for water connection when they tried to complain to the Panchayat, as it would affect the road to his house. They also beat up Mr. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday, causing injuries on his head. He had to be admitted to the government hospital, where he complained of not being attended to properly.
“When we applied for patta, the local body officials sent a note that the land had been allocated for a medical college and hence patta cannot be issued. But when a query was raised in this regard, the Tashildar replied that the land had been allocated for a medical college but had not been utilised for the purpose,” added Mr. Radhakrishnan, who asked to be quoted on the issue. Others in the same area have been given pattas, he charged.
However, on Saturday after the family woes attracted media attention, a few government officials did meet him to offer some facilities, but Mr. Radhakrishnan claimed that his problems still remain, and only partial solutions were suggested.
