MADRAS: II is now the turn of the Dalits to demand a separate State for them.
‘The Pallars, the most militant section among the Dalits and also known as Devendrakula Vellalars, who met at Madurai, demanded the creation of a separate State. Devendrar Desam, under Art.271 of the Constitution since “intolerable oppression” had continued unremittingly to this day, with successive State Government ignoring their plight and siding with the caste Hindus.
All their State conference they also passed a resolution calling upon the Dalits everywhere in the State to fight untouchability tooth and nail, “undeterred by the might of the State or of their oppressors.”
‘The conference also suggested setting up of self-defense units in the southern districts especially which have been witnessing a series of caste clashes recently.
By another resolution it called upon the Dalits to smash tumblers or vessels kept in village tea stalls exclusively for their use, “Don’t allow caste Hindus two hog village overhead tanks or pipes for their own use and whenever they seek to prevent you from wearing footwear fight them and seize their chappals” another resolution screamed.
Clearly with elections round the corner and various political parties vying for the Dalit vote bank, the Pallars are stepping up the rhetoric and apparently playing for higher stakes. Dr. Krishnaswamy, president of the federation of the Devendrakula Vellalar associations, lashed out at Chief Minister Jayalalitha for profiting the interests of one particular immediate caste (that of Kallars to which Sasikala belong) and its followers. “Don’t allow her to enter the southern districts, we must teach her a fitting lesson for all the injustice done to us all these years.”
Kodiyagulam, the scene of atrocities against Dalits which shocked the nation falls in the South and the Pallars too are a dominant force falls in the South.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 13, 1996
