In spite of the claims by the ruling AIADMK that Tamil Nadu is a garden of peace, the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities in the State say that there has been no let-up in their sufferings. “Though Tamil Nadu has been under Dravidian rule since 1967, the sufferings experienced by the SC/ST communities continue unabated,” l Murugan, member, National Commission for Scheduled Caste, told The Pioneer.
He was referring to the May 28 murder of three Scheduled Caste persons in Sivaganga district of the State by members of the caste Hindu community. Six persons have been arrested for the gruesome murder, arising out of a frivolous charge made by the Caste Hindus that the scheduled caste persons did not get up on seeing a youth belonging to their community.
Murugan had rushed to Kachanatham village on hearing that the police was indifferent to the pleas by the SC community. “There was gross violation of norms by the police. It was only after my intervention that the district superintendent of police suspended the two sub inspectors who had colluded with the accused,” said Murugan.
The NCSC member said that the AIADMK and the DMK, ruling Tamil Nadu alternately have been using the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities as vote banks. His views were echoed by TADA Periasamy, leader of the scheduled caste communities who have been waging a war against the atrocities perpetrated on SC/ST communities by caste Hindus.
“The Dravidian movements and parties stand for the interests of the backward and most backward communities . They portray themselves as saviours of SC/ST communities and claim that they are against the Brahmins. The Brahmins constitute a mere two or three per cent Tamil Nadu population at all a threat to the SC/ST or anyone. We are tormented and attacked by the caste Hindus with the full support of the DMK and the AIADMK. Have you seen the Dravidian parties acting against the interests of the caste HindusIJ” asked Periasamy, a CPI-turned-Maoist-turned Dalit active.
He said Tamil Nadu could be the only State in the country which has separate residential areas for Dalits and the Backward Communities. “Though caste Hindus can come to Dalit colonies, we are not allowed in their areas,” said Periasamy. He said in most of the villages there are tea shops serving tea in separate tumblers for the Dalits.
Murugan said Erode district, the birth place of E V Ramasamy cker (popularly known as Periyar), the Dalits are still denied entry in temples administered by the Tamil Nadu government. Periasamy said that situation was no different in other temples. “Please understand that Ramasamy Naicker, C N Annadurai (founder of the DMK) , M G Ramachandran stood for the interests of the backward communities while they had no concern for the Dalits,” said Periasamy.