On June 25 (Friday), VCK chief Thol. Thirumavalavan called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and submitted a petition to set up a state level Schedule Caste Commission and also a commission to find and reclaim Panchami lands.
Panchami lands are lands which was distributed for Scheduled Caste communities in Tamil Nadu during the British rule in 1892. At least 2,50,000 hectares has reportedly been given to the Scheduled Caste communities in Tamil Nadu. It was given with a rider that they cannot sell it for the first 10 years. This was to ensure that they can use this to engage in farming and earn some income for themselves. After 10 years, the lands could only be sold to Dalits and not to any other community person.
There have been allegations based on credible evidence that the land on which the office premises of party’s mouth piece ‘Murasoli’, is located is a panchami land. It had belonged to a Dalit in the beginning which went to 2 non-Dalits and later bought by Anjugam Publications.
The issue had come to light after DMK chief, who was opposition leader in 2019 had put out a tweet tweeted in praise of the Tamil film Asuran which touches on the land rights of Dalits. Stalin was the Managing Director of Murasoli Trust back then. His son Udhayanidhi Stalin and Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni MLA took over later.
Tamil Nadu BJP leader TADA Periyasamy has been fighting for the reclamation of Panchami lands in Tamil Nadu for years. He had written the National Commission for Scheduled Castes which had conducted two hearings. A case is also pending in the High Court.
In light of this, TADA Periyasamy has asked if Thirumavalavan will ask CM Stalin to vacate the Murasoli premises from the Panchami land and give it back to the Dalits.
He also mentioned that when Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister and Thirumavalavan was in alliance with the AIADMK, there were allegations about the former’s bungalow in Siruvathur squatting on a Panchami land. A commission of inquiry was set up and it was ascertained that it indeed was a Panchami land. Periyasami said that Thirumavalavan had lied back then that the land was not one. “He will change his stance and lie without any conscience for his political benefit.” he said asking if Thirumavalavan will have the courage to help the Dalits get back their Siruvathur and Murasoli’s land.
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