More information has poured in about the ‘Wall of Untouchability’, constructed in the Uthapuram village near Usilampatti, Madurai.According to one Selvaraj, President of the Then Inthia Vellalar Uravinmurai Sangam, ‘The wall was constructed by the caste hindus in the year 1989 as a protective measure, after a communal clash in their village, when many of their houses were set on fire.Fifty families that left the village then and migrated to Tirupur have not returned since.The wall was not 600 meters as alleged by the CPI(M), but only 136 meters long and that it had been constructed on the patta or plot of land belonging to nearly 15 persons.It was like the compound wall behind the houses that had been constructed continuously.
The wire has been placed on it purposely to create problems and anyone who has a close look will be able to knowthat it has come from the dalit side of the wall.’
He further added ‘If the wall is demolished, we will have no option but to desert our village and go and live like tribals on the hills nearby.’
Recently CPI(M) has called upon the Tamil Nadu State Government to take steps to remove the wall and even the party’s General Secretary Prakash Karat is visiting the village on May, 7 th.. The CPI(M) has also given a deadline of May 31 st to the state government stating that if the state government is not taking any step for the removal of the wall, the CPI (M) will take steps for the removal of the wall. So far main political parties in Tamil Nadu like DMK, AIADMK, Congress I, MDMK, PMK, DMDK etc are maintaining a studied silence. Another regional outfit and a less known party PT has called for the removal of the wall.
Meanwhile, the caste hindus belonging to Pillaimar community have objected to the interference of any political party into the affairs of their village and as many as 320 caste hindus have surrendered their ration cards enmasse to the DRO, protesting over the interference of outsiders into the internal affairs of their village.
Meanwhile, the District Collector of Madurai, Mr.Jawahar has visited the village, to assess the actual situation in the village including taking a survey of the wall.
The caste Hindus have also conducted a roadroko and dharna before the Collectorate after surrendering their ration cards.They have also proposed to show their protest over the proposed visit of the Marxist leader Prakash Karat, by wearing black badges and showing black flags to the Marxist leader.
It seems that the successive events that happen in Uthampuram may lead to major communal problems if the authorities concerned do not intervene immediately and try to solve the sensitive communal issues amicably among the concerned communities without involving any exodus of the peoples belonging to a particular community.
The political parties should also try to solve the problem without taking into account the vote bank factor.