Namakkal: An alleged discriminatory wall near Muthukalipatti Rasipuram Namakkal district was demolished by the authorities on Friday, the birth anniversary of reformer EVR Periyar is celebrated specially social justice day.
Villagers told a non-Dalit name paramshivam occupied government land to be used as a road Ambedkar Nagar for many years. A few years ago, Paramasivam built a 25 feet long wall blocking the way to Ambedkar Nagar. Residents had other access roads, but that was a winding one.
The residents were demanding the government officials to demolish the wall, remove encroachments from the government land and restore the road.
However, last month no action was taken to force villagers to hoist black flags above their homes. He filed a fresh complaint with the district administration accusing the local revenue officials of joining hands with Paramasivam.
As soon as the district administration launched an investigation and found that the wall was built on government land, officials ordered the demolition of the structure. A meeting was also held to persuade the Dalits to withdraw the protest plans and Paramasivam was instructed to demolish the wall on his own. But he refused to claim that he owned the land.
Hence, the officials along with police protection visited the spot and demolished the structure. “We are glad that the wall has been removed. The fact that the wall was brought down on Periyar’s birth anniversary has made it even more remarkable,” said Ambedkar Nagar resident M Samiraj.
Officials acknowledged that a part of the wall was built on government land encroached by Paramasivam, but said it could not be considered a “wall of untouchability” as Dalits had other access.
On the delay in the demolition of the wall, the officials said that the vandalism can be done only after giving proper notice and time to reply to Paramshivam.
Villagers told a non-Dalit name paramshivam occupied government land to be used as a road Ambedkar Nagar for many years. A few years ago, Paramasivam built a 25 feet long wall blocking the way to Ambedkar Nagar. Residents had other access roads, but that was a winding one.
The residents were demanding the government officials to demolish the wall, remove encroachments from the government land and restore the road.
However, last month no action was taken to force villagers to hoist black flags above their homes. He filed a fresh complaint with the district administration accusing the local revenue officials of joining hands with Paramasivam.
As soon as the district administration launched an investigation and found that the wall was built on government land, officials ordered the demolition of the structure. A meeting was also held to persuade the Dalits to withdraw the protest plans and Paramasivam was instructed to demolish the wall on his own. But he refused to claim that he owned the land.
Hence, the officials along with police protection visited the spot and demolished the structure. “We are glad that the wall has been removed. The fact that the wall was brought down on Periyar’s birth anniversary has made it even more remarkable,” said Ambedkar Nagar resident M Samiraj.
Officials acknowledged that a part of the wall was built on government land encroached by Paramasivam, but said it could not be considered a “wall of untouchability” as Dalits had other access.
On the delay in the demolition of the wall, the officials said that the vandalism can be done only after giving proper notice and time to reply to Paramshivam.
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