Arsoning Dalits' houses

8 dalit houses reduced to ash in arson

When minority Arunthathiyar people (cobbler commnity, a sub caste of dalits) of Chellanguppam village near Vettavalam in Tiruvannamalai district attempted to identify themselves with DMDK party (floated by actor Vijayakanth) and erect flag post in village public land they end up facing wrath of Caste Hindus (Most of them from Vanniyar caste).
Not only the flag mast they erected with the permission of panchayat president Muniyan was felled by oppressive castes but their humble huts were also set on fire notwithstanding police posted in the village. Police arrested morethan 25 people from caste hindus after registering cases against them under Prevention of Atrocities Against SC/ST Act, besides framing under various sections of Indian Penal Code.
Caste Hindus who were in various political parties opposed the idea of erecting flag mast (Read as political freedom of dalits) in one voice. Meanwhile, after felling the flag mast women SHG members from caste Hindus tried to set up a shed there which created tension again. Opposition shown by dalit members for this shed was said to be the reason behind arsoning. SP V Balakrishnan gave a visit to the spot and stayed there all throgh the night after arsoning and ensrued all the culprits were booked under SC/ST atrocities act. However, interestingly, DMDK whose party flag was obvious epicenter of the issue never intervened or protested against those felled it. Some district functionaries of the party gave a visit to the village a few days after the incident only to distribute certain things such as rice, cloths to victims.