TN: TNUEF Launches Direct Action against Untouchability
K Samuelraj
ON September 30, 2023, on the death anniversary of Comrade B Seenivasa Rao, the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front (TNEF) initiated direct actions to combat untouchability practices and ensure the rights of dalits. These actions called for immediate intervention by the district administration to address the issues. Every year, the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front commemorates Comrade B Seenivasa Rao's Memorial Day on September 30th with grassroots campaigns, focusing on land reclamation for dalits, access to burial grounds, and house title deeds for dalits in various districts of Tamil Nadu. B Seenivasa Rao, a prominent leader in the Communist movement was known for his exceptional work in organising peasants and rural landless workers, notably in the united Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. The struggle in East Thanjavur set a significant precedent, linking livelihood struggles with the fight against social oppression.
This year, direct actions were conducted in numerous locations, resulting in a significant statewide impact. The state government intervened to resolve issues in many of these locations. However, follow-up actions are required in certain centres, and TNUEF remains resolute in its commitment to push forward
The right to worship for dalits in Tiruvannamalai, who were initially denied entry to the temple in Thenmudiyanur village, has been secured. TNUEF had scheduled a temple entry movement for September 30, and on September 23, 2023, the district administration intervened, allowing dalits to worship at the Thenmudiyanur Muthumariamman temple in Thandarampattu, Tiruvannamalai district.
In Dindigul district, TNUEF had planned a protest for September 30, demanding land pattas for dalit Arunthathiyar households in Agaram town panchayat. The district administration preempted the protest by allocating pattas to all beneficiaries just before the scheduled demonstration, effectively resolving the issue.
In Theni district, a significant protest was conducted to reclaim encroached panchami lands by the 'Parry' company. They achieved an initial victory as the illegal land patta for part of the encroached land was promptly cancelled, with assurances for the cancellation of patta for the remaining encroached area.
In Chengalpattu district, an agitation demanded a path to the burial ground in Chinna Venmani village, and the district administration assured compliance just one day before the planned protest on March 29, 2023.
In Cuddalore district, in Jayamkondan village, where an encroachment and fence construction were blocking access to a burial ground meant for dalits, a protest was called for on September 30, 2023. Revenue authorities initiated talks on September 26, assuring a prompt solution to the issue.
Tanjore witnessed a protest demanding the removal of street names with caste associations. In Tiruvarur, an indefinite protest was scheduled demanding a path for dalits from Madevipattinam to the burial ground, with the district administration ensuring a prompt resolution just three days before the protest was set to begin.
Finally, in Tiruchi, a protest was held to remove caste-based names from street signboards, aiming to eradicate caste-based discrimination.
In Kallakurichi, a protest aimed at dismantling the untouchability wall that obstructed the path of dalits in Chinnasalem taluk, Mathur village. During the protest, district officials, including the tahsildar, visited the site and removed a 2-foot section of the encroachment, temporarily allowing dalit access. On October 4, the revenue divisional officer eliminated an additional 4 feet of the wall.
In Virudhunagar district, a protest was organided to secure a pathway to the crematory grounds in Ramalingapuram village. The district administration arranged a discussion on October 5, 2023, with the tahsildar and panchayat union commissioner in attendance. Although the protest was initially withdrawn, the October 5th discussion proved unproductive due to a lack of preparation by revenue officials. Consequently, district TNUEF announced a renewed protest set for October 6 before the same tahsildar's office, vowing to persist until their demands were met. On the morning of October 6, officials, including the tahsildar, visited the village, designated a burial ground location, and ensured the provision of essential facilities such as a roof and a water tank.
In another village within Virudhunagar district, specifically Rajagopalapuram, a protest was initiated to secure a pathway to the burial ground for dalit Arundhatiyar people. The protest was temporarily suspended after receiving assurance that the block development officer, engineer, and police officials would personally inspect the road within two weeks. On October 6, these officials visited the village and determined that there was no proper road to access the burial ground. Subsequently, they approached the owner of nearby land to allocate 5 cents of his land for the burial ground. In a village in Nagapattinam district, a hunger strike protest was conducted to demand a pathway to the burial ground in Thittachery town panchayat.
Several protests were organised across various districts to demand housing pattas for dalit residents. In Suraya Natham village, Trichy suburb, more than hundred individuals, along with leaders from the All India Agricultural Workers Union, petitioned the village administrative officer for land pattas on government-provided land. In Myladuthurai, a day-long protest took place to demand pattas for residents of Erukkal and Kulakari villages. The protest ended on a positive note as revenue officials committed, in writing, to allocate pattas before October 31. In Thopur, a protest was held to secure house pattas, and the tahsildhar assured swift action. Moreover, protests in Tirumayam, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram districts called for house pattas for dalit residents. In Dindigul district, the protest initially scheduled for September 30 to demand land pattas for dalit Arunthathiyar households in Agaram town panchayat became unnecessary when the district administration allocated pattas to all beneficiaries a few days before the planned protest, successfully resolving the issue. In Theni district, a significant protest aimed at reclaiming encroached panchami lands by the 'Parry' company resulted in an initial victory as the illegal land patta for part of the encroached area was promptly canceled, with assurances for the cancellation of patta for the remaining encroached land.
Protest for basic facilities were organised at various places. In Madurai, the residents of Usilampatti municipality's 8th Ward had long been demanding a toilet, which had not been provided. In Arcot municipality, Ranipet district, a protest was organised to address the issue of a garbage dump in the 7th Ward of Jayam Nagar. Another protest took place at Nager Kovil Veppamkudu Junction, focusing on renovating dilapidated colony houses, providing house pattas for residents living on Nattam Poramboke land, and updating house pattas issued a decade ago to revenue pattas.
