Atrocities on Dalits in Vengaivasal: So much feces poured into the water tank that the drinking water turned yellow
Atrocities on Dalits in Vengaivasal: So much feces poured into the water tank that the drinking water turned yellow; Madras High Court sought a report
A shocking case of atrocities on Dalits came to light in Muttukkadu, a village panchayat of Vengaivasal in Tamil Nadu. There are two water tanks in the village. One of these is made for Dalits, people were falling sick after drinking its water. On investigation, it was found that so much human excreta had been mixed in the tank that the water had turned yellow.
Collector Kavita Ramu and SP Vandita Pandey reached for investigation as soon as the news came to the fore. Then it came to know that this atrocity has been happening with the people of the Arunthathiyar community in the village for a long time.
Arunthathiyar community resides in Erayur, Muttukkadu. It is considered a Dalit caste. About a hundred years ago, Ramasamy Periyar banned their entry into the temples of the state. This practice is going on even after 75 years of independence. There are 100 Dalit families living in Erayur. Recently, these people complained of vomiting and diarrhea. Doctors told that it could be due to contaminated drinking water.
To check the water, some people went to check the 10,000-liter tank. According to political activist Moksh Gunavalgan, human excreta has been mixed in this tank.
Unaware of this, people were using this water. The truth came out when the children fell ill. It is not known who is responsible.
A few days ago the fence around the tank was opened. When people climbed into the tank, they found the lid open... No one saw anyone climb up and dump the waste into the water tank.
Many allegations of caste discrimination came to the fore when the collector talked to the people about the pollution. The upper caste people did not allow them to enter the Ayyanar temple built there. Not only this but a separate glass system was also found for them in a tea shop. The collector took the Arunthathiyar community along with them to get them entry into the temple. Even then a woman protested while pretending to be a deity. The police have arrested him.
Kavita Ramu opened another 30,000-liter tank built in the village for the use of Dalits. Simultaneously action was taken by the tank operator and the tank lid was ordered to be bolted.
Mookkaiah and his wife Meenakshi, who run a two-glass system tea stall, have also been arrested.
The Madras High Court also swung into action after this news of atrocities on Dalits came to the fore. The Madurai Bench has sought a status report from Pudukkottai Collector, SP and DSP Human Rights and Social Justice Wing on a petition filed regarding caste discrimination. Petitioner Shanmugam has sought compensation for families drinking contaminated water.
The petition came up for hearing on Wednesday. The public prosecutor told the court that three cases have been registered.