The Confederation of Adi Dravida and Tribal Welfare Teachers’ Guardian Unions has declared a three-day black badge protest to draw the government’s attention and demand an end to the escalating caste oppression in Tamil Nadu.
Recent months have seen an alarming rise in caste-based brutality and heinous acts against marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu. Earlier this month a gang of six individuals assaulted and humiliated two Dalit youths by stripping them publicly after they had a bath in the Thamirabarani River.
In October 2023, a Scheduled Caste family residing in the Vidathilampatti hills within the Manapparai municipality faced threats from a dominant Urali Gounder family, experiencing verbal abuse, urine poured on the son, stoning of their house, and physical assault.
The Vengaivayal incident remains fresh in memory, where human waste was found dumped in a water tank used by Dalits in Vengaivayal village of Pudukottai district.
The Nanguneri incident in August 2023 involved the brutal assault of a Class 12 Scheduled Caste student and his younger sister with sickles in their own home.
On 12 November 2023, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame SC singer, and his cousin were verbally abused with casteist slurs before being attacked with glass bottles and stones by MBC youth.
In response to these atrocities, activists and concerned citizens have decided to protest against caste-based violence. The General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Protection Association, Vivek, issued a statement highlighting the increasing levels of violence and untouchability faced by Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes in Tamil Nadu. The issue extends from students in schools to the contamination of water tanks and drinking bottles, mirroring the rising trend of brutality and untouchability, comparable to the spread of the coronavirus.
In the southern districts, attacks and killings of Scheduled Castes continue to be widespread. The SC and ST Commission, along with the government-appointed police, are expected to intervene and prevent such inhumane attacks. However, there seems to be a selective oversight and a lack of action on their part. This caste discrimination also persists in government offices and the Adi Dravida and tribal welfare sector, where Asians form the majority. Despite numerous complaints, the government has failed to address injustices in actions such as discriminatory practices, fund allocations, job transfers, promotions, and appointments, and denying basic rights.
This neglect by the government fosters suspicion and fear. Caste discrimination against Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes has persisted not only under the AIADMK regime but also during the subsequent DMK regime. To emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety, education, employment, and economic status of oppressed communities, various associations in the Adi Dravida and tribal welfare sector will join together for a three-day black badge protest from 20 November to 22 November 2023. The protest aims to bring attention to the pressing concerns and demands for justice for the oppressed communities in Tamil Nadu.
(With inputs from Savukku Media)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram and WhatsApp and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.