Latest news with #Arunthathiyar
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Caste Hindus begin razing ‘untouchability wall' in Karur after revenue officials, police intervene
Hindus belonging to Thottia Naicker community, an intermediate caste, who had built an 'untouchability wall' allegedly to prevent access to people belonging to Arunthathiyar community, a Scheduled Caste, at Muthuladampatti in Karur in Tamil Nadu began removing the structure on Saturday amid tight security. The wall, measuring about 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height, was raised about three weeks ago on a piece of government poramboke land despite strong objections raised immediately by residents from the SC community who alleged that it was a 'wall of untouchability'. Since the erection of the wall, it became a bone of contention between the caste Hindus and the SC community members. While the SC population claimed that the wall was meant to deny them access to areas where the caste Hindus lived, the caste Hindus denied the charge and claimed they had built the wall to prevent anti-social activities by 'outsiders' under the influence of alcohol. Members of the same intermediate caste had reportedly blocked attempts by the Arunthathiyars to build a stage for organising programmes during the annual Sri Muthumariamman Temple festival, and a public toilet on poramboke land. The Revenue department had served a notice a few days ago on the 'Kothukarar', leader of the intermediate caste group, to remove the wall within 15 days, citing that the land on which the wall had been raised was a government poramboke land. Moreover, no permission had been obtained to construct the wall. However, the community representatives contented that the wall was not meant to deny access to the SC people but to prevent the anti-social activities of 'outsiders'. They refused to tear down the wall. Potential to stoke caste clash Since the issue had the potential to cause caste clashes in the area, the Revenue department served one more notice on Friday night directing the caste Hindus to remove the wall by 11 a.m. on Saturday (August 9, 2025). Strongly opposing the action, a large number of them staged a sit-in protest at the Collector Office on Friday night. They returned to their settlement after revenue officials made it clear that the wall would be demolished on Saturday. As the revenue and police personnel, led by Karur Superintendent of Police K. Josh Thangaiah, began to assemble at the controversial site on Saturday morning, the leaders of the intermediate caste group came forward to destroy the wall on their own. They began to dismantle the wall in the afternoon. No press and media persons were allowed to take pictures of the operation. M. Mohamed Bysal, Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, told The Hindu that a portion of the wall had already been removed. The remaining portion, including the foundation, would be completely removed by Sunday afternoon. The members of both the caste groups had been asked to extend cooperation for the smooth completion of the task.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu: Notice served to demolish ‘untouchability' wall raised by caste Hindus in Karur village
The Revenue Department has issued a notice directing caste Hindus belonging to the Thottia Naicker community at Muthuladampatti in Karur to remove within 15 days a wall they had built allegedly to prevent access to Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar) people. An uneasy calm has prevailed between members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and the caste Hindus, a dominant group, since the latter raised the wall measuring about 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height about three weeks ago. The SC community alleged that it was a 'wall of untouchability'. They claimed the wall was meant to deny the SC residents access to areas where caste Hindus live. The caste Hindus denied the allegation, and claimed they had built the wall to prevent anti-social activities by 'outsiders' under the influence of alcohol. Members of the dominant community reportedly blocked attempts by the Arunthathiyars to build a stage for organising programmes during the annual Sri Muthumariamman Temple festival, and a public toilet on poramboke land. According to sources, the notice issued by the Revenue Inspector of Vellianai to the Kothukarar (leader) of Thottia Naickers said the wall was constructed on a piece of poramboke land. It was an encroachment, and was built without obtaining permission. Hence, it should be demolished within 15 days. Otherwise, suitable action would be taken as per the law. Confirming the development, M. Mohamed Pysal, Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, told The Hindu that the members of the Thottia Naicker community had been apprised of the situation. Since the wall was raised in a public space, they were asked to remove it on their own, he said. In a related development, the Thottia Naickers filed a civil suit before the District Munsif Court, seeking a permanent injunction restraining the Arunthathiyars from interfering in the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the land where the wall was raised. In the petition, M. Subburaj, Kothukarar, and three others, said they had been using the vacant site, situated at Sri Pattalamman and Sri Bagavathiamman Temple at Muthuladampatti, for a long time. Devotees would congregate in large numbers during the temple festivals. The vacant site and surrounding areas were holy places. However, the site was of late used to consume alcohol by anti-social elements. The wall was constructed to prevent the activities of them and to safeguard the residents, they contended
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Notice served on Kothukarar to demolish wall raised by caste Hindus at Muthuladampatti
The Revenue Department has issued a notice directing caste Hindus belonging to the Thottia Naicker community at Muthuladampatti in Karur to remove within 15 days a wall they had built allegedly to prevent access to Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyar) people. An uneasy calm has prevailed between members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community and the caste Hindus, a dominant group, since the latter raised the wall measuring about 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height about three weeks ago. The SC community alleged that it was a 'wall of untouchability'. They claimed the wall was meant to deny the SC residents access to areas where caste Hindus live. The caste Hindus denied the allegation, and claimed they had built the wall to prevent anti-social activities by 'outsiders' under the influence of alcohol. Members of the dominant community reportedly blocked attempts by the Arunthathiyars to build a stage for organising programmes during the annual Sri Muthumariamman Temple festival, and a public toilet on poramboke land. According to sources, the notice issued by the Revenue Inspector of Vellianai to the Kotthukarar (leader) of Thottia Naickers said the wall was constructed on a piece of poramboke land. It was an encroachment, and was built without obtaining permission. Hence, it should be demolished within 15 days. Otherwise, suitable action would be taken as per the law. Confirming the development, M. Mohamed Pysal, Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, told The Hindu that the members of the Thottia Naicker community had been apprised of the situation. Since the wall was raised in a public space, they were asked to remove it on their own, he said. In a related development, the Thottia Naickers filed a civil suit before the District Munsif Court, seeking a permanent injunction restraining the Arunthathiyars from interfering in the peaceful possession and enjoyment of the land where the wall was raised. In the petition, M. Subburaj, Kothukarar, and three others, said they had been using the vacant site, situated at Sri Pattalamman and Sri Bagavathiamman Temple at Muthuladampatti, for a long time. Devotees would congregate in large numbers during the temple festivals. The vacant site and surrounding areas were holy places. However, the site was of late used to consume alcohol by anti-social elements. The wall was constructed to prevent the activities of them and to safeguard the residents, they contended
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Untouchability wall' in Karur denies SC residents free access to other areas
A long wall raised by the caste Hindus, Thottia Naickers, on a piece of land of Government poramboke at Muthuladampatti, located about a km from the Karur Collector office, has emerged as a major bone of contention between them and the Scheduled Caste (Arunthathiyars) residents. The SC community has alleged it is a 'wall of untouchability'. The Arunthathiyars, who reside in two separate settlements at Muthuladampatti in Karur Corporation limits, allege the wall, measuring about 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height, was built about three weeks ago by the caste Hindus. It was intended to prevent free access to the SC residents to move along the other areas, where caste Hindus live predominantly. The wall was built with money collected from every household with the active involvement of most men and women of Thottia Naicker caste, they alleged. The members of Arunthathiyar caste group, on coming to know about the move to construct the wall, had lodged a complaint with the revenue authorities to stop the work. The Village Administrative Officer of Thanthoni subsequently visited the spot and orally instructed the Thottia Naickers to stop the work citing the receipt of a complaint. However, they went ahead with the construction and completed the work with the mobilisation of more resources at lightning speed. Irked over this, the Arunthathiyar people had resorted to a road roko and demanded the demolition of the wall, thereby leading to the intervention of the police and revenue authorities. Two peace meetings, one by Karur Tashildar on July 13 and another by Revenue Divisional Officer on July 29, were held. But the Arunthathiyars allege that no solution has been found yet. 'We feel it is a wall of untouchability. It has prevented free access to the areas where caste Hindus live. We are insulted, and it is a clear case of caste discrimination,' says P. Marudhai, 57, a resident belonging to Arunthathiyar caste. The dominant community people reportedly blocked the attempts of Arunthathiyars to build a separate drama stage to organise programmes during the annual Sri Muthumariamman Temple festival and a public toilet for them on a piece of Government poramboke land. They allege caste discrimination that they are not permitted to use the existing 'nadaga medai' and they are allowed to enter the upper caste areas only barefoot. 'We often face caste discrimination in different forms. They will not allow us to enter their areas by wearing footwear. They yell at us if we defy their instructions,' says S. Duraisamy, 50. However, the caste Hindus strongly deny their allegations. They allege that 'some outsiders' have been trying to create caste clashes with an ulterior motive. R. Kandasamy, 62, a caste Hindu, claimed they had constructed the wall to ensure safety and security to their men and women from 'outsiders', who created trouble under the influence of alcohol. Moreover, the wall was constructed only in the area which was under their usage for ages. C. Anandaraj, a Madurai-based social activist and a lawyer, said the wall was a shame. No one could raise a wall on public land, thereby leading to denial of access. No permission was obtained to construct the wall. It should be demolished. Collector M. Thangavel told The Hindu he could not say at the moment whether it was a wall of untouchability or not. He had instructed the Revenue Divisional Officer to conduct an inquiry into the incident. His report was awaited. He could clarify on the issue only after the receipt of the RDO's report.
New Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNUEF passes resolution for honour killing law
KRISHNAGIRI: The Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNUEF) passed 11 resolutions at its fifth district meeting on Saturday, including calls to enact laws against honour killing, install a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Hosur, and appoint field workers to district-level vigilance and monitoring committees. TNUEF State Deputy General Secretary P Selvan told TNIE, "The members of the district-level vigilance and monitoring committee should be chosen appropriately. In most cases, the members are unaware of the ground situation and the needs of the people. Therefore, at least one member of the committee should be selected from TNUEF cadres who work on the ground, and the district administration should consider this. Ahead of TNUEF's fifth state-level conference in Mayiladuthurai on August 31 and September 1, awareness programs against untouchability and caste-based honour killings will be conducted in various districts using arts and drama prior to the state conference." He added, "Untouchability still prevails in various districts, so the district administration and state government should work hard and effectively implement government schemes for SC/STs. Additionally, some caste people are still not allowed into temples in Tamil Nadu, and this practice should be abolished." During the meeting, resolutions were also passed to provide patta (land deeds) for Adi Dravidars and Tribals. A resolution was also passed to allocate land for Adi Dravidars in Kottayur, Chennathur, and Sanamavu, where land has been identified but not yet allotted to each family, even after a survey. Similarly, TNUEF State Vice-President G Anandan said, "The Krishnagiri district administration should recognise and register pig-rearing in the district without any issues. Furthermore, the district administration should support Arunthathiyar families at Vennampatti village near Uthangarai taluk by reclaiming a temple from caste Hindus and allowing them to worship. Also, a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar should be installed within the limits of the Hosur City Municipal Corporation." At the end of the meeting, new office bearers were also selected.
