On 13 February, there was an attack on Dalits in Parali Pudur village near Madurai but which is part of Dindigul District. The police and administration failed to act for the next 10 days. On 22 February a fact finding team of CPIML led by its State Secretary met the Dalits in their hamlet. The team members were: Comrades Jayaveeran (Secretary Dindigul District), Thenmozhi (AIPWA State President), Usha (SCM), Manivel (AICCTU, Dindigul), Divya (AISA State Committee), Ramachandiran (District Secretary, Karur) and Mathivanan (Member, District Leading Team, Madurai)
The team found that the attack was well planned and deliberate. The village is dominated by the backward caste Mutharaiyars who are known as Valaiyars. They are landed kulaks and had encroached lands issued to Dalits under the 2 acre scheme of the DMK government. They had also taken away the 'Holy Land' of dalits 40 years ago and still continue to use it though the Government claims to have restored it to Dalits. They have encroached common lands of the village and are denying access to Dalits. They could not tolerate the independent Dalits, and fear the growing economic power of the Dalits who are settled in cities and are starting to buy lands with their savings so that they can settle in their own village after retirement.
The attack took place on 23 February when the Mutharaiyars assembled to erect a statue. They claimed that 'their flag was dishonoured by the Dalits' – a charge denied by the Dalits. Bikes, bicycles and other assets were burnt down. Food grains and clothes are set on fire. Shops and new extensions of houses were destroyed or pulled down. Tiles of houses were damaged with stone boulders.
Though the attack was reported in the press, the District Collector took three days to visit the village. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) led by the MP Thirumavalavan, who claims to champion the Dalit cause discouraged his party from intervening. AIADMK party functionaries used this opportunity to show case their anti Dalit stand. The ruling DMK played down the issue.
The CPI(ML) organised a press meet following the team visit and invited local people to participate in it. People under the leadership of local youth Karthick readily came forward. On 23 February State Secretary Comrade Balasundaram and Com Usha (SCM) addressed the press in Dindigul and asked for action against the Collector and SP. Comrades Jayaveeran (District Secretary) and Manivel (AICCTU) were present. More than 15 people from Parli Pudur met the press and recorded their sufferings and the lukewarm approach of the district administration. We demanded that the masterminds of the attack be identified and prosecuted under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, providing the names of some of the leaders of the attack. We asked for confiscation of common land encroached by Muthathariar kulaks and redistribution of it to the landless irrespective of caste, and also asked for a Special Camp by the Collector to reissue certificates burnt by the hooligans. The Government reacted following this and met the people.
On 25 February a delegation of the affected people along with CPI(ML) comrades Jayaveeran, Usha and Mathivanan met the collector along with more than 40 victims, who after much argument agreed to hold a Special Camp at Parali Pudur and to invoke the provisions of the POA Act. The team also met the SP who agreed to take action against the kulaks who were the real culprits if people were ready to file an affidavit. We promised to do so if the police officials came to village. In a few days he was transferred.
The VCK meanwhile tried to maintain its hold over Dalits, even blocking vans used to transport people to meet the Collector. Finally in one of the village meetings the people told the VCK that they did not want them and asked them to leave.
The District Administration provided rice and groceries for ten days, dug two bore wells and provided effective lighting. They also provided utensils and some other essentials. The Dalits have been approached for a compromise but have refused. A protest was then held at the District headquarters on 17 March, and affidavits too are being prepared towards arrest of the leaders of the attack.
