Finally, ‘caste wall’ that divided a village is breached

The wall was constructed in 1990, after violent clashes broke out between the two communities in Uthapuram village, about 40 km from Madurai. The Thevars, a relatively higher caste belonging to the Most Backward

Castes, claimed the wall was meant to protect their families, but the Dalits alleged that it was meant to keep them out. The wall blocked the path leading to the main road, forcing the Dalits to take a circuitous route.

The issue was highlighted recently by social and political outfits, who protested against the discriminatory nature of the wall and demanded its demolition.

“There were areas where the primary purpose of the structure was discriminatory, denying access to Dalits to a particular area or preventing their passage through a particular route. We have examined the situation and pulled down about 30 ft of the wall, and immediately laid a road providing connectivity that was denied for years to one of the groups,” said district collector S S Jawahar.

The agitation against the wall was spearheaded by the Untouchability Eradication Front, a social group floated recently by the CPI(M). They had threatened to demolish the wall if the district administration and state government failed to take action. Party general secretary Prakash Karat is scheduled to visit the area on Wednesday. “We demanded demolition of the structure wherever it denied access to the Dalits. Finally, after 18 years, we were able to secure access today,” said P Sampath, convenor of the front.

However, there are still many roadblocks. The Thevars have surrendered their ration cards to the district collector in protest against the action. Alleging that the issue had been politicised, some have even threatened to commit suicide if Karat visits the area.

Meanwhile, the district administration is walking a tightrope, trying not to antagonise either of the communities. “The administration should look after the welfare of everybody, including the upper caste. A few have said they are going to move out but that will not solve anything,” he said.