http://ibnlive.in.com/news/2tumbler-system-in-a-new-avatar-in-pollachi/182901-60-118.html
Tamil Nadu
2-tumbler system in a new avatar in Pollachi
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on Sep 10, 2011 at 10:58am IST
POLLACHI: The scenic environs of Pollachi-Coimbatore's most well-known
tourist destination - may welcome outsiders with open arms, but when
it comes to treating their own Dalit villagers, tea stall owners here
follow the socially-abhorrent practice of the two-tumbler system.
The system, reported mostly in southern districts of TN, is prevalent
in tea shops in many hamlets in Pollachi.
In many stalls, tea is served in disposable plastic cups to Dalit
villagers, whereas for customers belonging to the� so-called upper
castes, it is served in a glass. Worse, tea shops in villages such as
Guruvekoundenpalayam, Kappilipalayam and Mettuvavi, have come up with
an innovative two tumbler system to deceive authorities in case of a
surprise inspection.
"At the tea stalls in these villages, separate tumblers for Dalits are
identified by dots marked in green or yellow at the bottom. In some
cases, there is a cut mark on the top edge of the tumbler for
Dalits,"� alleged K Marimuthu, president, Makkal Viduthalai Munnani, a
local outfit which fights for the rights of Dalits.
Tea shop owners, however, are hesitant to admit that Dalit customers
were discriminated against and claim that they do not have separate
tumblers for the caste Hindus. But a visit to most tea stalls proved
otherwise.
While elderls belonging to the oppressed sections have accepted the
practice, presumably out of fear for caste Hindus, Dalit youth have
begun to assert themselves against the practice.
According to K S Nagaraj, district secretary, Periyar DK, several tea
shop owners at Mannur, Chedimuthur, Vadakkipalayam and Sulakkal,
coming under Pollachi north union, hide the separate tumblers meant
for Dalits. "They have been clandestinely serving tea in a separate
tumbler for Dalits ever since we stepped up our campaign," he said.
Pollachi MLA Muthukarupannasamy, who hails from Mettuvavi, where the
system is prevalent, is unwilling to acknowledge it. "I had put an end
to this when I was the village's panchayat president 10 years ago. In
any case, I will check if the practice continues in neighbouring
villages," he said.
Marimuthu, however, said that the Revenue Department and Adi Dravidar
Welfare Department should jointly take up a campaign in Pollachi's
hamlets to abolish the practice.
When contacted, Pollachi Sub-Collector Arunsundar Dayalan said
appropriate measures would be taken after an inquiry.
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