In six districts of Tamil Nadu, 159 villages inhabited by the Arundathiyar community reportedly do not have access to burial grounds, forcing families to bury the dead, on roadsides, lakeshores and other distant areas.

According to organisations including the Dalit Liberation Movement, the affected districts are Dindigul, Theni, Karur, Villupuram, Tiruppur and Tiruvannamalai. In some villages, though cemeteries exist, there are no proper roads to reach them. Community leaders said that opposition from other sections has also resulted in denial of burial space.

Dalit Liberation Movement leader Karuppiah said incidents of violence against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were common in Tamil Nadu and noted that refusal of burial rights was particularly painful. He recalled that in Veeralur village of Tiruvannamalai district, about 360 Arundathiyar families had come under attack two years ago after they opposed carrying a Dalit body through public roads. “The same situation continues in many districts even today,” he said, demanding the Chief Minister’s intervention to ensure proper crematorium facilities.

Despite repeated complaints made to Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj and senior officials, activists claimed no solution had been implemented so far.

Responding to the issue, an official from the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department said that under schemes similar to the Samathuvapuram model, public crematoriums for Scheduled Castes were being planned across rural areas. He added that district collectors were inspecting land availability and that steps were underway to provide common burial and cremation facilities for marginalised sections.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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The post 159 Arundathiyar Villages In Six TN Districts Lack Burial Grounds, Bodies Buried Along Roadside appeared first on The Commune.

Hindu Munnani has criticized the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to allocate land for cemeteries in 16 districts, claiming it reflects a biased approach that neglects the needs of Hindu communities. The group pointed out that many Hindus in rural areas of the state continue to face difficulties due to encroached cremation grounds and limited access to proper burial or cremation facilities.

In a social media statement, Hindu Munnani condemned, “After the DMK came to power, for Hindus it means temple demolitions. For Christians, it means the establishment of cemeteries in 16 districts! This itself is proof of the anti-Hindu DMK’s Dravidian Model of governance!! The All India Christian Council (AICCC) has announced that the ruling DMK government has silently allocated land for graveyards in 16 districts. This has caused widespread dissatisfaction among the public. While Hindus in many Tamil Nadu villages are struggling with encroached cremation grounds and lack of access to burial sites, the government’s allocation of land to Christian organizations which already own the second-largest amount of land after the government in India for the sake of minority votes is highly condemnable.”

திமுக ஆட்சிக்கு வந்த பின் இந்துக்கள் என்றால் ஆலயங்கள் இடிப்பு…
கிறிஸ்துவர்கள் என்றால் 16 மாவட்டங்களில் கல்லறை தோட்டம் அமைப்பு!

இதுவே இந்து விரோத திமுகவின் திராவிட மாடல் ஆட்சிக்கு சாட்சி!!

ஆளும் திமுக அரசு சத்தமே இல்லாமல் 16 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு கல்லறை தோட்டங்களுக்கு இடம் ஒதுக்கீடு… pic.twitter.com/ZpUavlJ0r5

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) July 4, 2025

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The post Hindu Munnani Criticizes DMK Over Alleged Religious Bias In Cemetery Land Allocation appeared first on The Commune.

On 1 November 2024, over 12 villagers, accompanied by relatives, crossed a swiftly flowing river on foot to bury an elderly man in a burial ground near Natham in Dindigul. Although the district administration has proposed building a metal bridge across the river for ₹10 lakh, the project remains unapproved.

Samudrapatti village, home to around 1,500 families, faced significant challenges following heavy rains that increased the river’s water levels. Periyam Pillai, a 73-year-old villager, passed away due to health issues. The burial ground, located on the opposite bank of the Thirumanimuthar River, is primarily used by Hindus, while separate burial sites exist for Muslim and Christian communities.

Initially, some villagers considered waiting for the water to recede before transporting Periyam Pillai’s body across the river. However, concerns over decomposition led them to decide to cross despite the dangers.

Approximately eight family members, along with other villagers, ventured into the river, where the water reached chest height. They navigated through the strong currents, successfully burying the elderly man by evening.

A senior official from the district administration commented, “This is a long-standing issue for the villagers. The river is managed by the PWD. The proposal for the metal bridge has been accepted by block development officers, but the river’s sharp bend complicates construction. We are waiting for higher officials to decide whether to build the bridge a few meters upstream or to identify an alternative burial site.”

Last week, villagers in Lalgudi, Tamil Nadu, faced a similar ordeal as they were forced to carry the bodies of their deceased loved ones through neck-deep water to reach burial grounds. A viral video has brought attention to this heartbreaking reality in Trichy district, where the absence of proper pathways to cemeteries forces families into such distressing situations. While politicians often proclaim their commitment to social justice, these conditions starkly contrast their claims and the actual experiences of the community.

In Nehru Nagar, located in Maruthur Panchayat within Lalgudi Union, over 200 residents must rely on a cemetery situated across the Upparu River. When the river is dry, crossing to the cemetery is manageable. However, during monsoon season, flooding makes this journey perilous, as no bridge exists to facilitate the crossing.

Despite repeated petitions to government officials for a bridge over the Upparu River, no action has been taken. Recently, heavy rains caused the river to overflow, exacerbating the situation.

Just days ago, the community faced tragedy when a 98-year-old resident, Arunachalam, passed away in Nehru Nagar. Villagers had to navigate through neck-deep water to transport his body to the cemetery for his final rites.

For years, the local community has urged the district administration to construct a bridge for better access to the graveyard, but their appeals have gone largely ignored. With the viral video highlighting their struggle, residents now hope for prompt action to build a bridge across the Upparu River.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

The post Dravidian Model: Dindigul Villagers Forced To Cross Swift River To Bury Elderly Man As Bridge Proposal Stalls appeared first on The Commune.

The Hindu Munnani in Tamil Nadu has successfully halted a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a mosque on government-owned land in Thirukovilur, Kallakurichi district.

The Hindu Munnani submitted a petition stating that the land in question, identified as Thirukovilur North Re. No. 532 and covering 0.23 acres, is officially designated as government ‘poramboke’ land. The petition noted that the Thirukovilur Masjid Waqf organisation had issued an invitation for a foundation stone ceremony for the Arcot Nawab Jamia Masjid in this area.

Furthermore, the petition highlighted that this land is traditionally used for Hindu cremation and such ceremonies and expressed concerns that the situation could lead to public disorder. It also alleged that the mosque’s organisers had not obtained the necessary permissions from the government for the construction.

In response, District Collector Maria Pillai led a negotiation session on 8 August 2024. The session aimed to address objections raised by the revenue and police departments regarding the planned foundation stone ceremony. Following these discussions, the District Collector ordered police protection for the site and denied permission for the ceremony.

கள்ளக்குறிச்சி மாவட்டம், திருக்கோவிலூர் நகரத்தில், இஸ்லாமியர்கள்
திடீரென்று 3 நாட்களாக இந்துக்கள் சுடுகாட்டின் அருகில் தொழுகை மற்றும் மசூதி கட்டுவதற்கு அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா நடைபெறுவதாக இருந்தது.#வெற்றிசெய்தி #கள்ளக்குறிச்சி #சுடுகாடு #இந்துமுன்னணி pic.twitter.com/MNBznXcY8E

— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 10, 2024

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The post Thirukovilur, TN: Hindu Munnani Halts Illegal Mosque Foundation Stone Ceremony On Govt Land appeared first on The Commune.

In early August 2023, the government of Telangana issued a directive to allocate 125 acres of government-owned land to the Muslim community for the establishment of graveyards. This allocation of land parcels comes ahead of the Telangana Assembly elections and is intended for the development of model cemeteries catering to different segments of the Muslim population.

"In a sea of conflict & unrest, Telangana continues to be an island of peace and harmony ensuring dignity & equal rights to all communities"

Telangana govt allotted 125 acres of land for the construction of Model graveyards for various sects of Muslims. Hon’ble CM KCR garu has… pic.twitter.com/v8XjutH2mB

— Dr Ranjith Reddy (@DrRanjithReddy) August 8, 2023

The directive was issued in response to a request made by All India Majlis-E-Ittehad Ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi and the party’s floor leader, Akbaruddin Owaisi. Telangana’s Chief Minister, K Chandrashekhar Rao, had pledged to issue this order during a session of the state Assembly on July 6th.

The government had designated areas in Ranga Reddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts for the construction of graveyards, pending the finalisation of formal land allocation proposals.

Medchal District
Noothanakal – 35.27 acres in survey no.472
Shamirpet Mandal Turkapally – 16.31 Acres in Survey no. 523

Rangareddy District
Abdullapurmet Mandal Mazidpur – 20 Acres in survey no. 233
Talakondapalli Mandal Khanapur – 42.22 Acres in Survey No. 256/1
Kondurga – 10 Acres in Survey no. 237/1

According to the order, the land for these cemeteries had been allocated in specific villages and mandals, including Majeedpur village in Abdullapurmet mandal, Khanapur village in Talakondapally, and Kondurg village in Rangareddy district. Additionally, land was allocated in Medchal and Shamirpet villages in the Malkajigiri district. District collectors in both areas were instructed to take appropriate measures in accordance with this directive. The allocation comprised 72 acres and 22 guntas in the former district and 52 acres and 18 guntas in the latter district.

Stay On GO

According to Andhra Jyoti’s report, upon learning about the land allocation, concerned villagers sought legal recourse to address the matter.

#Telangana High court stayed #KCR GO allocating 125 acres of lands to muslims in Medchal & Rangareddy to build Kabaristhan. Some of these lands already have Temples built on them. @BRSparty boasts about #Yadadri while doing appeasement.#KCRFailedTelangana#SaaluDoraSelavuDora pic.twitter.com/4BiouwbrCY

— OFBJPUKTelangana (@OFBJPUK4TLGN) August 21, 2023

A significant portion of the designated land reportedly included properties belonging to temples. Additionally, long-standing farmers who had been cultivating these lands were disheartened by this development. For instance, in Noothanakal Village, the allocated land already houses temples dedicated to deities such as Venkateshwara Swamy, Lakshminarasimha Swamy, and Lord Shiva.

Telangana CM KCR announced in Telangana State assembly 125 Acres of Land will be given to Muslim graveyards.
Hindus approached High Court claiming those lands belongs to Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple & Shiva Temple,
High Court issued stay.#HinduUnity pic.twitter.com/GwavJdFsQF

— Advocate Neelam Bhargava Ram (@nbramllb) August 20, 2023

On 18 August 2023, the Honourable High Court ordered a stay on the government order to allocate land for cemetery construction.

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