People's Democracy

TAMILNADU

Arundhathiyars: Reaping The Dividends Of The Struggle

K Samuel Raj

TIRUMALAI Naicker had ruled Madurai between 1623 and 1659. He wanted someone who can safeguard his capital, Madurai. Vijayaranga Naicker who ruled Trichy has sent a person to do that. He belonged to Arundhathiyar community. He, Madurai Veeran, became a household name with his heroic actions. That is history. Following him, there were many other soldiers from his community. They were all leading many divisions in the army.

Kattabomman fought valiantly against British. His fort was guarded by a team that was led by an Arundhathiyar. Various divisions of his army were led by Mathan pagadai, Potti pagadai, Kandhan pada, Thanam padai and others. They are all from Arundhathiyar community.

The descendents of these soldiers were not fortunate enough to carry this legacy. They are in pathetic condition now. Their forefathers had launched various struggles against British. The victims of �Manu� are fighting for their own survival. They are all working as manual scavengers, manually removing the underground blocks in sewages, burning the dead bodies etc.

A small section from this community is working as agricultural labourers and coolies in cotton mills and dyeing units. Very few people have shifted to playing Thavil(musical instrument). Whatever be their profession, there is no difference in discrimination. Even now, the students belonging to the Arundhathiyar community are being forced to clean the toilets in their school. Their desire to education is nipped in the bud itself.

In Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu, there are more than one lakh Arundhathiyars. Among them, only two could become lawyers till date. Only in the last few years, some graduates have come out. There is an area called Ramasamypuram in Sattur Taluk. 40 Arundhathiyar families are staying there. In that, two have completed certificate courses in ITI. And only four others have studied till 10th standard.

As per the 2001 census, the population of dalits in Tamilnadu is 1,18,57,504. In this Arundhathiyars are 7,71,659 and Sakkiliars are 7,77,139(this is excluding the population of some communities who are living in the name Adi Andhrites).

In 2001, the literacy rate of Tamilnadu is 73.5 per cent. In that the literacy rate of dalits is 63.2 per cent. The census also notes that the literacy for Arundhathiyars is 53.7 per cent and for Sakkiliars, it is 50.9 per cent. Among the 53.7 literates in Arundhathiyar community, the percentage of those who have completed high school and higher secondary schools is 13.5 per cent, diploma holders are 0.5 per cent and graduates are just 0.7 per cent.

No better scenario in case of Sakkiliars too. The percentage of those who have completed high school and higher secondary schools is 10.8 per cent, diploma holders are 0.3 per cent and the graduates are 0.9 per cent. With education itself out of bounds for them, they cannot imagine to get government jobs. When one visits Arundhathiyar�s colony, one can very easily identify the government employee among others. Wearing khaki uniform, he will definitely be a scavenger working in some government department.

Very recently, the Tamilnadu government has selected 200 judges. Among them, only one belongs to Arundhathiyar community. In Virudhunagar telecom district(where the Arundhathiyars' population touches a lakh), out of 133 Group 'B' staff, only one is Arundhathiyar. On February 21, 2006, Sister Alphonsa Fatima delivered a speech in United Nations about Arundhathiyars. She mentioned in her speech that in Udumalpet(now in Tirupur district) where the density of Arundhathiyar population is more, there are only five primary teachers belonging to Arundhathiyar community.

The service Arundhathiyars provide to the human community is matchless. They work in such areas where many people won't even dare to enter. With the hope that one day the chain of slavery would be broken, the Arundhathiyars are still carrying on their work. After thorough introspection, the CPI(M) took up their cause. That was the day the Arundhathiyars were waiting for.

The Party took up the case of sub-quota for Arundhathiyars within the quota of SC reservation. District level conferences, a huge rally in Chennai, statewide dharnas, picketing in eleven districts, regular appeals in legislative assembly by CPI(M) members and regular campaign by the CPI(M) leaders in various platforms was organised. After all these efforts, the dream of having sub-quota became true. The state government has formally agreed to provide three percent sub-quota for Arundhathiyars.

Even this welcome step has faced some roadblocks. Various efforts are being taken to stop the process of granting sub-quota. Within the community, there are some organisations who feel that the quota is less. Parties like Republican Party of India have opposed the sub-quota. Though the allotment is less and below expectations, the CPI(M) is of the view that this has definitely opened the gates.

Till the time CPI(M) took up the demand, it remained �Arundhathiyars' demand�. When the CPI(M) intervened it became �people's demand�. In the last two years, the CPI(M) has conducted meetings in each and every Arundhathiyar colony. The tireless efforts of the Party cadre have borne fruits. It is not just the Arundhathiyar community that is going to win the struggle for social justice, the freedom of entire human community will be made possible by continuing the struggle.