Caste-based violence against Dalits in Tamil Nadu
Factors responsible for such violences:
Mushrooming of caste organisations that run high on caste pride.
A near total absence of anti-caste activism within the powerful Other Backward Classes (OBC) by social and political organisations.
The feeble response from non-Dalit intellectuals.
Today, the primary role of the caste organisations, most often patronised by youngsters, is to create exaggerated caste-specific symbolisms.
These organisations typically portray Dalits and their development as a threat to their interests of their community.
By organising ‘guru poojas’, every caste has found a social icon around which to rally.
In the past three decades, every government and other political parties have not only allowed but also fully participated in the celebration of these caste icons.
Several caste organisations openly oppose inter-caste marriages.
Political parties are dependent on the vote bank of the numerically dominant OBC communities; there is political competition to appease them.
The political parties, which see no contradiction with these caste-organisations, are quick to form an electoral alliance with them if they manage to mobilise their communities.
After opposing the hegemony of Brahmins and pursuing the politics of anti-Brahminism, the Dravidian movement did not do much to oppose the dominance of powerful OBC communities or speak about these issues vociferously.
There is open support for caste-based outfits and encouragement to castes to reclaim their past based on myths.
Such myths only reinforce caste consciousness in the minds of upper caste students.
Reforms needed:
Rather than suppress the Dalit critique, social and political organisations must acknowledge that there is urgent need to address the issue of violence against Dalits in the State.
They must discourage the formation of caste-based organisations, and delegitimise existing caste organisations.
Governments must stop participating in ‘guru poojas’ and establishing memorials for caste leaders.
The idea of equality should be propagated earnestly in schools, colleges and workplaces.
In schools and colleges, monitoring committees that involve teachers and parents must be set up to handle discrimination.
The police must be held accountable where there is lax investigation and in bringing the perpetrators of violence against Dalits to justice.
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