One of the pioneering efforts to create a casteless society was the Samathuvapuram (Equality Village) housing scheme, which, among other things, is aimed at creation of spatial equality. Initiated by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, it is an unparalleled effort in the history of the post-colonial State.
The first Samathuvapuram was established at Melakottai in Madurai district on August, 17, 1998.
This effort, in fact, was preceded by a series of caste clashes that rocked the southern districts over the naming of a transport corporation after Dalit leader Sundaralingam.
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The Samathuvapurams are all named after social reformer E. V. R. Periyar and called Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapuram. After almost a decade and during the time of election one wonders what does the much publicised effort to create spatial equality and foster social harmony looks like.
Visits to three Samathuvapurams, the State's first at Melakottai, the one hundredth at Tiruvadavur and Poochampatti, all in and around Madurai, throws up questions on the idea of equality and production of property of life or locality and neighbourhood.
Each Samathuvapuram has 100 beneficiaries in which 40 houses are allotted to Adi Dravidars, 25 to backward classes, 25 to most backward classes and 10 to people of other communities.
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Mutual co-existence
Samathuvapuram as an effort has ensured mutual co-existence at the spatial level, M. Padma (36), Dalit agricultural labourer, Tiruvadavur, says that there is no conflict or any caste animosity among the neighbours and they all mingle together during social functions and inter-dine.
In the case of Melakottai, M. Pandian (54) says that caste animosity is not there but a sense of stiffness remains and minor scuffles have happened.
The villagers demand a cemetery and proper drainage facilities. On the socio-economic front there is no case of strong upward mobility and the economic conditions largely remain deplorable in all these Samathuvapurams. Somehow the welfare schemes seem to taken care of their everyday life.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) has been helping them to look after the every day expenses. V. Sooran (56) of Tiruvadavur says that MNREGS has been the only means for these dwellers to meet their ends. When there is no work men in these villages go to Madurai or nearby towns for construction work.
Bureaucratic apathy
Bureaucratic apathy in the Samathuvapurams is tangible — library in Melakkottai has become defunct and books kept there were taken away for the Kamatchipuram Panchayat Library, allege the residents.
Dispensary in the three Samathuvapurams is not functional.
All the households have received free colour television sets but only the Poochampatti Samathuvapuram inhabitants have got free gas stoves. Water scarcity is a major problem at Tiruvadavur. Earlier, they used to get 24-hour supply but now it is so scarce that they get water once in three days.
The Samathuvapuram in Poochampatti seems to have very few problems; almost every household has got all the freebies announced by the Government. The villagers in unison claim that there is no caste animosity and reported incident of atrocity or violence. But they all demand extension of work under MNREGS.
All things equal, almost all the dwellers of the three Samathuvapurams express that they are more than happy for they have a concrete house, one kilo rice for one rupee and live together.
Till date there are 145 Samathuvapurams in the State and the DMK has promised to build more in coming years.
Despite the fact that Samathuvapuram stands as a unique effort which the DMK president claiming to send across the message of social equality espoused by social reformer EVR Periyar, more efforts on the multiple processes of negotiation and discussion that go into the production of locality is needed to become a “model space.”