The Hindu : Resignation strikes at grass roots democracy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Resignation strikes at grass roots democracy

By R. Ilangovan

MADURAI APRIL 21. The State Government effort at ushering in Dalit empowerment through grass roots democracy has suffered a setback following the resignation of the Pappapatti panchayat president, Thanikodi, who remained in office in the Madurai village for just two days.

The `behind-the-scenes' manipulation of the drama of resignation by caste Hindus is so unabashed that it has betrayed their unacceptability of a Dalit becoming president of their village panchayat.

``Their impertinent attitude has frayed the very objective of the panchayati raj system, which aims at strengthening democracy at the grass roots,'' claims a Dalit activist.

Mr. Thanikodi's resignation is, however, is made to appear as his own decision. The reason adduced is that he is `unlettered and ignorant of handling panchayat administration,' as he himself has claimed. However, he signed the papers while filing his nomination and after assuming office. ``The claim that he is unlettered seems to be unconvincing and far-fetched,'' points out an activist.

The caste Hindu lobby, which controls the entire village panchayat of 2,000, has had a pre-set agenda.

Haunted by an adverse media coverage and pressured by the district administration, the villagers of both Pappapatti and Keeripatti, who had stalled the election process since 1996 demanding `dereservation', decided to field their `own men' when they came to know of the DPI's surprise move to put up candidates.

Mr. Thanikodi and his wife (who withdrew later) were virtually lifted from the fields and made to file the nominations at the last minute.

In fact, the nomination fee was paid by his employer, Chellakannu Thevar, brother of the late MP, Mookiah Thevar, on whose fields Mr. Thanikodi and his family members are working.

Even while filing the papers, Mr.Thanikodi gave a pointer to the events that would unfold after his victory.

He said he would obey the orders of the villagers. He has now obeyed them.

The activists fear that Karutha Kannan, president-elect of the neighbouring Keeripatti reserved village panchayat, will also be coerced into quitting. He is yet to assume office.

If accepted, the resignations will prompt the Government to notify polls for these village panchayats again after six months, along with the election in the Nattamangalam panchayat, which did not receive a single nomination in the recent polls.

`Punish the perpetrators'

Meanwhile, N. Sethuraman, founder-president of the All-India Moovender Munnetra Kazhagam, a Thevar-dominated party, has described Mr. Thanikodi's resignation as a ``murder of democracy". In a statement here today, he said the resignation could not be his own decision.

Hence the Government should identify and punish those who forced Mr. Thanikodi to resign.

It should conduct the poll again at Pappapatti to infuse fresh life into democracy.

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Resignation strikes at grass roots democracy