‘Deprived’ of their lands, dalits narrate tales of harassment
A year ago, when Chellammal questioned a nondalit for executing a lease deed on her paddy field at Narasinganallur in Tirunelveli district after getting a thumb impression from her alcoholic husband, she had to face the wrath of the upper caste members. She was attacked by a gang and one of her eyeballs came out in the assault. The 50-year-old died the next day.
Chandra, another dalit, faced astiff opposition from non-dalits when she arranged the marriage of her son V Ayyanar, an MPhilholder. They even tore the interview cards being sent to Ayyanar from various companies. The non-dalits, who grabbed the paddy land of Chandra at Vellalakudi in Vazhapadi, wanted the only Arundathiyar family in the village to leave. So, when the deceased Chellammal’s son Lakshmanan and Chandra along with 27 other dalits raised their issues before the People’s Tribunal for Legal Redressal — an informal jury comprising activists, professors and writers — what they all wanted was their land back.
Apparently, the main focus was the grabbing of panchami land (land given to dalits by the government) by the non-dalits. At least 28 cases of land rights violation were heard at the tribunal, conducted by Evidence, an NGO, based in Madurai on Saturday. Among the 300 dalits, taken for study from across Tamil Nadu, almost all were subjected to violations related to land rights, the NGO said.
About 3.2 lakh acres of panchami lands were distributed to dalits in 1892, thanks to the initiative by J H A Tremem Heere, then district collector of Chengalpet. A study conducted by Evidence claims there are only 1,26,113 acres of panchami lands in Tamil Nadu now. “Only 3,000 acres of lands are in the hands of dalits. The remaining were grabbed from the dalits over the time,” says the study.
The jury, however, advised the victims to be more practical in taking their decisions. “You should realise the potential of the panchami lands and the role played by them in our lives. So you have to unite. If you don’t, you will not be able to reclaim your lands,” said P Sivakami, founder-president of Samuga Samathuva Padai.
Talking about an episode from her own life, the Tamil writer said it was the decision of her father not to sell his paddy field which helped her get through the IAS examination. “My father didn’t sell the paddy land. He was aware of grabbing. So I could complete my study from income we got from the land,” she said. At least 300 dalits from various parts of the state participated in the event. Grabbing of panchami land and other lands of dalits is on the rise, according to Prof Palaniduari of Gandhigram University, a jury member.
“Many dalits were murdered over land. Houses were burnt for lands. When a case is filed, the main crime will get the importance. The motive behind grabbing the land will not be taken into account. It’s unfortunate,” said A Kathir, director of Evidence. The people’s tribunal was set up for the victims to declare their statements before the jury. The final decision of the jury will be sent to the government and the human rights commissions.
Source: The Times of India dt 01-07-2012
A year ago, when Chellammal questioned a nondalit for executing a lease deed on her paddy field at Narasinganallur in Tirunelveli district after getting a thumb impression from her alcoholic husband, she had to face the wrath of the upper caste members. She was attacked by a gang and one of her eyeballs came out in the assault. The 50-year-old died the next day.
Chandra, another dalit, faced astiff opposition from non-dalits when she arranged the marriage of her son V Ayyanar, an MPhilholder. They even tore the interview cards being sent to Ayyanar from various companies. The non-dalits, who grabbed the paddy land of Chandra at Vellalakudi in Vazhapadi, wanted the only Arundathiyar family in the village to leave. So, when the deceased Chellammal’s son Lakshmanan and Chandra along with 27 other dalits raised their issues before the People’s Tribunal for Legal Redressal — an informal jury comprising activists, professors and writers — what they all wanted was their land back.
Apparently, the main focus was the grabbing of panchami land (land given to dalits by the government) by the non-dalits. At least 28 cases of land rights violation were heard at the tribunal, conducted by Evidence, an NGO, based in Madurai on Saturday. Among the 300 dalits, taken for study from across Tamil Nadu, almost all were subjected to violations related to land rights, the NGO said.
About 3.2 lakh acres of panchami lands were distributed to dalits in 1892, thanks to the initiative by J H A Tremem Heere, then district collector of Chengalpet. A study conducted by Evidence claims there are only 1,26,113 acres of panchami lands in Tamil Nadu now. “Only 3,000 acres of lands are in the hands of dalits. The remaining were grabbed from the dalits over the time,” says the study.
The jury, however, advised the victims to be more practical in taking their decisions. “You should realise the potential of the panchami lands and the role played by them in our lives. So you have to unite. If you don’t, you will not be able to reclaim your lands,” said P Sivakami, founder-president of Samuga Samathuva Padai.
Talking about an episode from her own life, the Tamil writer said it was the decision of her father not to sell his paddy field which helped her get through the IAS examination. “My father didn’t sell the paddy land. He was aware of grabbing. So I could complete my study from income we got from the land,” she said. At least 300 dalits from various parts of the state participated in the event. Grabbing of panchami land and other lands of dalits is on the rise, according to Prof Palaniduari of Gandhigram University, a jury member.
“Many dalits were murdered over land. Houses were burnt for lands. When a case is filed, the main crime will get the importance. The motive behind grabbing the land will not be taken into account. It’s unfortunate,” said A Kathir, director of Evidence. The people’s tribunal was set up for the victims to declare their statements before the jury. The final decision of the jury will be sent to the government and the human rights commissions.
Source: The Times of India dt 01-07-2012
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