Greetings from Rights Education and Development (READ)!
We are going to organise two days writers’ camp for Arundhatiyar (Dalit amongst the dalits) young writers at Erode District, Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu. We request you for your contribution/ donation for this camp.
Date: 20-21 February, 2010
Venue: Sathyamangalam, Erode District
Who are Dalits?
Dalits are a group of people historically regarded the lowest in the hierarchy of the Indian caste system. After independence significant steps were undertaken in the form of affirmative action to improve their condition and provide opportunities for their overall development. However most of the affirmative actions taken by state have not been able to transform the lives of these people because of widespread and deep rooted perceptions of caste hierarchy and retaining purity within the caste groups by disallowing social and cultural mingling of the groups.
Who are Arundhatiyars?
Arundhatiyars are the considered to be the lowest group in the entire caste hierarchy and considered ‘dalit amongst the dalits’ and treated as ‘untouchables’. The Arundhatiyars are also known as ‘Chakiliar’ and are marginalized even amongst the Dalits, There are around 60 Lakh Arundhatiyars in Tamil Nadu mostly residing in the western districts living in colonies outside the main village which are inhabited by the upper caste landlord community. The Arundhatiyars have been struggling for survival and development from centuries of discrimination, marginalisation, poverty, exploitation and violence at the hands of the upper caste landlords. They have no land and for as low as a thousand rupees loan, they are forced to work as bonded slaves on the agricultural farms or houses of the upper caste landlords. They are also often compelled to do very menial, undignified jobs such as manual scavenging.
What is the importance of this writers camp?
At present, there are many Dalit writers, but very few write on Arundhatiyar community’s issues. Even amongst Arundhatiyars we can count only around only two prominent writers who write on the community’s issues. This makes us realise that we need to promote young writers to write and document the Arundhatiyar history and raise their issues for a wider readership.
The present young writers’ camp would be organised to promote this vision. Therefore, we have decided to provide intensive training for around 20 interested youth to build their writing skills. They will be taught to write articles, stories and poems on the discrimination, exploitation and violation of fundamental rights of Arundhatiyar community.
We are happy to receive your contribution through DD/Cheque in favour of:
Rights education and development centre
Address:
27/1 Muniyappar. St
Rangasamuthiram
Sathyamangalam.
PO: 638402
Erode district
Tamil Nadu. South India
Tel.91-4295-224313
Mobile: 91-9842090035
Email: ksamy2005@gmail.com
Locally neglected,Globally unknown,We are dalits among dalits Arunthathiyer
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Dharna for Dalit(Arunthathiyer) bariyel ground
Dear Friends
All you knew sandal wood VEERAPPAN at Sathyamangalam here till existing untouchability and atrocities .
Here some example discrimination two glass system in public tea shops .There is no entry in common temple .
Dalit(Arunthathiyer) till they have to tell death message for upper caste .
Therefore tomorrow on 31st 2009 ,DYFI,and Untouchability eradication front jointly organize the Dharna at Sathyamangalam .
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Stop Manual Scavening - India -2010
Dear Friends
18th Dec 2009 Safai Karamachary Andolan(SKA) Conducted state level consultation for eradicate inhuman dignity on Manual scavenging at Chennai -Asha nivas . This state level consultation discuss various issues and recommendation.
2010 as a peoples organizations with Manual scavengers they will conduct the state level conformance for eradicate manual scavenging .This is not only that but also peoples declaration for "we will not do Manual scavenging " This is a political declaration for state and society .
18th Dec 2009 Safai Karamachary Andolan(SKA) Conducted state level consultation for eradicate inhuman dignity on Manual scavenging at Chennai -Asha nivas . This state level consultation discuss various issues and recommendation.
2010 as a peoples organizations with Manual scavengers they will conduct the state level conformance for eradicate manual scavenging .This is not only that but also peoples declaration for "we will not do Manual scavenging " This is a political declaration for state and society .
Friday, November 6, 2009
Arunthathiyer murder
Arunthathiyar murder
Vanimuthu (Alias) R. Arumugam Aged 48 he was lived in Jawahar Colony in Pattinam kaathan Panchayet, Mandapam Union, and Ramanatha Puram District. He Belongs to Arunthathiar Community. He was worked in Tamil Nadu Water Supply department in Group “D”. Vanimuthu has wife and Three Children. Two sons and one daughter.
Last October 18th (18/10/09) Evening 7:30PM he was Killed by strangers near his house. The next day (19/10/09) morning one person named ‘Pandiyarajan’ from ‘Aasari’ upper caste Community is surrendered in Ramanatha Puram Police Station and gave the statement that “Arumugam had the wrong relationship with his Mother so he killed Arumugam”.
But, That Village Arunthathiyar Community people are refused to accept the statement. Because, there is no any relation between the Murder and the Surrendered Person.
But the real thing was on the basis of Gathering information, there was a community hall built in their village. But, the Key was not hand over to the people. The Panchayet leader Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan only handling the key.
The Panchayet leader Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan has the power and support of elected parties. In this condition our Vanimuthu so many times asked and argued about the Community Hall key with the panchayet leader. The panchayet leader threatened Mr. Vanimuthu. So the relationship was broken each other.
That village Arunthathiyar people says Mr. Vanimuthu was supported for Arunthathiar issues .
The People who saw the incident are not witnessing about the murder.
On 19/10/09 in front of Ramanatha Puram Government Hospital the Arunthathiyar Peoples and relatives are rejects to get the Post mortem Body. Because, they insists to arrest the real accused person Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan. 150 Peoples are involved in road strike. The police arrests 150 people those who are involved in strike including 50 women and case filed against these people. The case was failed against pandiyarajan in SC /ST Act.
Viduthalai Ciruthaigal (VC), Aathi Tamilar Peravai (ATP), Arunthathiar Human Rights Forum (AHRF) are continuously supports this issue.
The real situation is there is no relationship between the incident and the Surrendered person. So the arunthathiyar people’s request is real accused Person want to arrest and punish. Police case filed against the 150 Arunthathiyer for road strike .
Demands:
1. Need to arrest the real acuest under SC/ST Act
2. Counter case on 150 Arunthathiyers case have to get withdraw
Vanimuthu (Alias) R. Arumugam Aged 48 he was lived in Jawahar Colony in Pattinam kaathan Panchayet, Mandapam Union, and Ramanatha Puram District. He Belongs to Arunthathiar Community. He was worked in Tamil Nadu Water Supply department in Group “D”. Vanimuthu has wife and Three Children. Two sons and one daughter.
Last October 18th (18/10/09) Evening 7:30PM he was Killed by strangers near his house. The next day (19/10/09) morning one person named ‘Pandiyarajan’ from ‘Aasari’ upper caste Community is surrendered in Ramanatha Puram Police Station and gave the statement that “Arumugam had the wrong relationship with his Mother so he killed Arumugam”.
But, That Village Arunthathiyar Community people are refused to accept the statement. Because, there is no any relation between the Murder and the Surrendered Person.
But the real thing was on the basis of Gathering information, there was a community hall built in their village. But, the Key was not hand over to the people. The Panchayet leader Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan only handling the key.
The Panchayet leader Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan has the power and support of elected parties. In this condition our Vanimuthu so many times asked and argued about the Community Hall key with the panchayet leader. The panchayet leader threatened Mr. Vanimuthu. So the relationship was broken each other.
That village Arunthathiyar people says Mr. Vanimuthu was supported for Arunthathiar issues .
The People who saw the incident are not witnessing about the murder.
On 19/10/09 in front of Ramanatha Puram Government Hospital the Arunthathiyar Peoples and relatives are rejects to get the Post mortem Body. Because, they insists to arrest the real accused person Mrs. Kavitha Kathiresan. 150 Peoples are involved in road strike. The police arrests 150 people those who are involved in strike including 50 women and case filed against these people. The case was failed against pandiyarajan in SC /ST Act.
Viduthalai Ciruthaigal (VC), Aathi Tamilar Peravai (ATP), Arunthathiar Human Rights Forum (AHRF) are continuously supports this issue.
The real situation is there is no relationship between the incident and the Surrendered person. So the arunthathiyar people’s request is real accused Person want to arrest and punish. Police case filed against the 150 Arunthathiyer for road strike .
Demands:
1. Need to arrest the real acuest under SC/ST Act
2. Counter case on 150 Arunthathiyers case have to get withdraw
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Chennai rally
CPM and Arunthathiyer peoples movements conducted Tamilnadu head quater at Chennai rally for proper implementation of Arunthathiyer reservation near 25000 people participated through out Tamilnadu .
Our Sakkiyer cultural was participated
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Brutal attack on an (Dalit)Arundhatiyar in Anupar Palayam, Sathyamangalam Taluk, Erode. District
Brutal attack on an (Dalit)Arundhatiyar in Anupar Palayam, Sathyamangalam Taluk, Erode. District: September 13, 2009
Anupar Palayam is a village in Sathyamangalam Block in Erode District. There are around sixty Arundhatiyar families who in this village in extreme poverty, having no land and working as bonded laborers’ on the upper caste communities’ farms. The upper caste community mostly comprises of the landlords from the Naikkar community.
Mr.Chinnagurunathan, an arundhatiyar aged 50 years, works as an agricultural labour in this village. He lives with his wife and two children. On September 13, 2009, in the evening an one old arundhatiyar woman passed away. Her funeral was arranged at the village temple. One Mr.Chinnagurunathan told the family not to arrange the funeral at the temple since it is a place of worship. After some time one Mr.Selvaraj, a upper caste community leader came at the temple and started beating Chinnagurunathan by a stick without even making any enquiry. He used foul language and showered abuses on Chinnagurunathan. Mr.Chinnagurunathan received severe injuries on his head, left eye and legs. He was admitted in a private hospital in Sathyamangalam. Later he was taken to Gobichettipalayam Government Hospital and then referred for further treatment at Coimbatore Government hospital on 24th to 27th Sept 2009.
A case of atrocities upon Chinnagurunathan was filed in the Sathyamangalam Police Station on 14th Sept bearing number FIR No.667/2009/ Act SC/ST 3(I)(10) and IPC 324. Till now the perpetrator has not been arrested.
Findings
1. Arundhtiyar community face discrimination at the hands of the upper caste community mainly the Naikkars. The discriminative practices are violative of the fundamental rights of the arundhatiyar community. The Arunthathiyer are not allowed to sit on the mat , chair ,cot or any place near the upper caste person’s house, land or his environment. The arunthathiyers have to remain standing in the presence of an upper caste person.
2. The discrimination against the arundhatiyar community is so deep rooted that till today a two glass system exists in the village
3. Arunthathiyers are not allowed to ride a bicycle and if they do happen to have one, then they have to get down the bicycle as soon as they spot a person from upper caste community.
4. The use of the river in the village is restricted for the arundhatiyars. They are not allowed to use the river water for their daily needs.
5. The schools miday meals scheme for children is also infested with discrimination against arundhatiyar children-the arundhatiyar children are provided the meals in a separate queue than the children from the upper caste community.
6. The ICDS centres does not provide dishes for the Arunthathiyer children.
7. In the government run buses, the Arunthathiyer are not allowed to sit in the presence of an upper caste person or child.
8. In the village not a single arundhatiyar person us enrolled under the NREG scheme.
recommendations:
1. The perpetrator of the brutal attack on Chinnagurunathan has to be arrested immediately.
2. The Police department is required to take prevention action in Arundhatiyar communities and villages as per the SC/ST Act
3. The victim have to be provided with compensation and protection as per SC/ST Act
4. The District Education department needs to take immediate action to prevent the discrimination in school and ICDS centres against Arundhatiyar children
5. The Dsitrict administration needs to ensure that all Arundhatiyar adults in need of employment are provided benefits under the NREG scheme
Anupar Palayam is a village in Sathyamangalam Block in Erode District. There are around sixty Arundhatiyar families who in this village in extreme poverty, having no land and working as bonded laborers’ on the upper caste communities’ farms. The upper caste community mostly comprises of the landlords from the Naikkar community.
Mr.Chinnagurunathan, an arundhatiyar aged 50 years, works as an agricultural labour in this village. He lives with his wife and two children. On September 13, 2009, in the evening an one old arundhatiyar woman passed away. Her funeral was arranged at the village temple. One Mr.Chinnagurunathan told the family not to arrange the funeral at the temple since it is a place of worship. After some time one Mr.Selvaraj, a upper caste community leader came at the temple and started beating Chinnagurunathan by a stick without even making any enquiry. He used foul language and showered abuses on Chinnagurunathan. Mr.Chinnagurunathan received severe injuries on his head, left eye and legs. He was admitted in a private hospital in Sathyamangalam. Later he was taken to Gobichettipalayam Government Hospital and then referred for further treatment at Coimbatore Government hospital on 24th to 27th Sept 2009.
A case of atrocities upon Chinnagurunathan was filed in the Sathyamangalam Police Station on 14th Sept bearing number FIR No.667/2009/ Act SC/ST 3(I)(10) and IPC 324. Till now the perpetrator has not been arrested.
Findings
1. Arundhtiyar community face discrimination at the hands of the upper caste community mainly the Naikkars. The discriminative practices are violative of the fundamental rights of the arundhatiyar community. The Arunthathiyer are not allowed to sit on the mat , chair ,cot or any place near the upper caste person’s house, land or his environment. The arunthathiyers have to remain standing in the presence of an upper caste person.
2. The discrimination against the arundhatiyar community is so deep rooted that till today a two glass system exists in the village
3. Arunthathiyers are not allowed to ride a bicycle and if they do happen to have one, then they have to get down the bicycle as soon as they spot a person from upper caste community.
4. The use of the river in the village is restricted for the arundhatiyars. They are not allowed to use the river water for their daily needs.
5. The schools miday meals scheme for children is also infested with discrimination against arundhatiyar children-the arundhatiyar children are provided the meals in a separate queue than the children from the upper caste community.
6. The ICDS centres does not provide dishes for the Arunthathiyer children.
7. In the government run buses, the Arunthathiyer are not allowed to sit in the presence of an upper caste person or child.
8. In the village not a single arundhatiyar person us enrolled under the NREG scheme.
recommendations:
1. The perpetrator of the brutal attack on Chinnagurunathan has to be arrested immediately.
2. The Police department is required to take prevention action in Arundhatiyar communities and villages as per the SC/ST Act
3. The victim have to be provided with compensation and protection as per SC/ST Act
4. The District Education department needs to take immediate action to prevent the discrimination in school and ICDS centres against Arundhatiyar children
5. The Dsitrict administration needs to ensure that all Arundhatiyar adults in need of employment are provided benefits under the NREG scheme
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