Scheduled caste Arunthathiyar community members alleged that the wall was built to stop them from entering caste Hindu areas, while Thottiya Nayakar community members denied it and said the wall was intended to prevent chaotic activities by 'outsiders' under influence of alcohol.
Karur- A controversial wall built by Thottiya Nayakar community (an intermediate caste) in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which was allegedly being called an ‘untouchability wall’ for the Dalit community, was demolished on Saturday in the presence of security forces. The wall was about 200 feet long and 10 feet high and was built on government Poramboke land in Muthuladampatti area of Karur.
While the Scheduled Caste Arunthathiyar community members alleged that the wall was built to prevent them from entering the locality of caste Hindus, the Thottiya Naicker community denied it, saying the wall was meant to prevent unruly activities by ‘outsiders’ under influence of alcohol.
Earlier, members of the same intermediate caste had blocked attempts by the Arunthathiyar community to erect a stage during the Sri Muthumariamman temple festival and construct toilets on the Poramboke land.
According to a report published in The Hindu, the Revenue Department had a few days ago issued a notice to Thottiya Naicker community leader ‘Kothukarar’ ordering him to remove the wall within 15 days as it was built on government land and no permission was taken for it. However, representatives of the community refused to demolish the wall and reiterated their argument.
The matter had triggered caste tensions in the area, with the Revenue Department issuing another notice on Friday night ordering the Thottiya Nayakar community to remove the wall by 11 am on August 9. Hundreds of people from the community staged a sit-in outside the Collector’s office in protest, but returned after the officials took a tough stand.
On Saturday morning, revenue and police officials led by Karur SP K. Josh Thangaiah reached the disputed site. The intermediate caste leaders then decided to demolish the wall themselves and it was removed by noon. The media was not allowed to take photographs.
Mohammed Baisal, Revenue Divisional Officer, Karur, told The Hindu that the wall had been completely demolished and its foundation would be removed by Sunday afternoon. Members of both communities have been urged to cooperate in the task.
Courtesy : Hindi News