Tamil Nadu | Updated Nov 12, 2011 at 12:00pm IST
Bad blood existed since 1960s
indianexpress Express News Service , The New Indian Express
MADURAI: Although a 'caste wall' had divided the Pillaimars and Dalits
in Uthapuram in rural Madurai only from 1989, the bad blood between
members of the two communities had existed since 1960s.
As early as 1964 the village had witnessed a major bloodshed following
a clash between the Pillaimars and Dalits. The second clash in 1989
resulted in the death of five members from both sides prompting elders
of 18 neighbouring villages to construct a wall to prevent unnecessary
friction between the two communities. Since then the Dalits never got
to even see the Muthala Amman temple.
"The wall had divided the Dalit settlements from the Pillaimar
community," recalled Ponnaiya, a Dalit leader. The Dalits were unable
to use the road abutting the 'caste wall' too.
After members of the Untouchability Eradication Front 'discovered' the
wall, they led a massive agitation seeking to demolish the wall.
Bowing to pressure, the district administration demolished a portion
of the 'wall of shame' in 2008.
However, simmering hostilities between the two communities remained
alive and Dalits were denied entry into the temple. But persistent
peace efforts overseen by Madurai SP Asra Garg appeared to have paid
off on Thursday when Dalit worshipped at the temple. Dressed in white
dhotis Sankaralingam and Ponnaiya (69) along with 13 other Dalits
marched towards the temple, while members of Pillaimar community
welcomed them and jointly performed rituals. Activists said that it
was a dream come true for around 1,500 Dalits of Uthapuram.
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