Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Dalits prevented from campaigning

By R. Ilangovan

Madurai April 6. The caste Hindus of Pappapatti and Keeripatti prevented the DPI-sponsored Dalit candidates from campaigning inside their villages today, the last day for canvassing votes.

Despite the presence of a strong-armed police escort and senior officials, including the Madurai Collector and the Superintendent of Police, the villagers of Pappapatti and Keeripatti protested against the candidates' attempt to campaign in the heart of their villages where Piramalai Kallars predominantly live. Both candidates were booed and threatened right in front of the officials and forced to confine their vote mobilisation exercise to the Dalit pockets.

The candidates — Subban for Pappapatti and Poonkodi for Keeripatti — had to move amidst a strong security ring of armed police personnel while canvassing for votes for the village panchayat president polls.

Deserted streets and locked houses greeted Poonkodi, who could campaign only in the Dalit colony of Keeripatti. ``Most of the Dalits have left the village in fear,'' said an old Dalit woman who was left behind in the village by her kith and kin.

In fact, the relatives of Poonkodi left the village to avoid the harassment from the caste Hindus, which few Dalits claimed, was increasing. While he was canvassing in the Dalit colony, a mob of caste Hindus gathered and started threatening him. The police, sensing trouble, bundled him into a car and whisked him away.

Subban was not even allowed to alight from his vehicle to seek support at the Pappapatti village `chavadi'. The villagers, lining up on both sides, shouted and forced the convoy to speed away. Mediamen were threatened. But Subban, however, spent nearly 30 minutes at Karayanpatti, one of the four hamlets falling under the Pappapatti village panchayat, where Dalits outnumber caste Hindus.

Hailing from the village, Subban, resorted to a confidence building exercise by asking the Dalits not to fear the ``intimidatory tactics'' of the caste Hindus. ``The enslavement should be broken through democracy,'' he said.

But most of the Dalits sulked away from him. Few women wept.

``He has become a threat to our peaceful existence and we have to live, hereafter, with fear,'' said a Dalit woman of Karayanpatti.

The two candidates, promoted by caste Hindus, were also not allowed to campaign.

However, the villagers reportedly ensured their victory.

Earlier the Collector, S. Ramachandran, convinced the DPI leader, Tirumavalavan, not to accompany the candidates as the entry of outsiders ``will lead to a law and order'' problem. After obtaining an oral assurance from the Collector for the safety of the lives of candidates, Mr. Tirumavalavan preferred to stay back.

Later, talking to The Hindu the DPI leader said today's happenings disproved the claims of the Local Administration Minister and officials that people in these villages were living amicably.

He demanded the immediate intervention of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the matter.

Movements restricted

The police have clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr.PC to restrict the movement of some leaders, including Mr. Tirumavalavan, the Puthiya Tamizhagam leader, K. Krishnasamy, and the AIFB leader, L. Santhanam, at Keeripatti and Pappapatti.

``As the officials feel that their movement may cause breach of peace, the restrictions have been imposed,'' a police official said adding that the movement of outsiders and vehicles into these villages will also be prohibited as a precautionary measure. A large posse of policemen led by one ADSP, two DSPs and 15 inspectors, besides half-a-dozen striking forces, would be posted in Keeripatti and Pappapatti in view of the polls.

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