For all its proximity to an industrial city, Panampatti, about 25 km from here in Kinathukadavu taluk, still witnesses discrimination of Dalits, allegedly by Caste Hindus.
A casual visit to a small eatery revealed two entrances to it. While the main door was meant for the Caste Hindus, the other was a small gap on a broken wall a few feet away for the Dalits. There were separate enclosures for the Dalits to wash hands and dispose of used banana leaves.
Enquiries revealed that the Dalits worked in farm lands of Caste Hindus or went to construction work in nearby towns and lived on Arunthathiyar and Maduraiveeran Streets. They also claimed that they cut each others hair or went to other saloons in nearby places.
A construction worker said that though the Caste Hindus or eatery owners did not stop the Dalits from using the main entrance, the other entrance remained open. “We don’t go there because we don’t want to create trouble,” he said. Others said they avoided frequenting the eateries to avert humiliation.
A Dalit youth said that when he questioned some Caste Hindus about the discrimination, they reportedly told him not to use the facility if he did not like the practice there. “Dalits are afraid to raise these issues as they lack unity and also because they work in the farm lands owned by Caste Hindus,” said S. Manikandan, of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam .
The party’s general secretary, K. Ramakrishnan, said that they would organise a demonstration in front of the Kinathukkadavu taluk office on October 31. The Tamilar Viduthalai Iyakkam has planned to gherao the Collectorate here on Monday .
When contacted, Coimbatore Superintendent of Police M. Sudhakar said there was no complaint from the villagers. Collector Archana Patnaik said that special teams were trying to gather evidence on the allegation.
