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The Hindu, Saturday, Sep 23, 2006

http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/23/stories/2006092305230600.htm

Here Dalits discriminate against their own ilk
R. Ilangovan

`Thurumbars' are the lowest sub-sect
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They are forced to do menial jobs
Families live on fringes of Dalit colonies
Children made to sit separately in classroom
They are forced to do menial jobs
Families live on fringes of Dalit colonies
Children made to sit separately in classroom
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SALEM: The Dalits ostracise them. Pallars, Parayars and even
Arunthathiyars, who have been fighting untouchability practised by
caste Hindus neglect them. They live as untouchables among
untouchables in `cheris' and colonies.

Known as `Thurumbars' alias `Pudirai Vannans,' they are considered to
be the lowest sub-sect in the hierarchy of Dalit caste groups in Tamil
Nadu. Here, the dominant Dalits force them to do menial jobs, which
they detest doing for the caste Hindus.

The Thurumbars are forced to live on the fringes of the Dalit
colonies. The dominant Dalits do not permit them to live in clusters.
A handful of families alone are permitted to live on the periphery of
their `cheris' (slums) and colonies, primarily to look after the needs
of the dominant group.

"We have been doing menial jobs for Dalit families, which the other
Dalits hate to do,'' says Periyanayagam, a 70-year-old Thurumbar caste
woman of Kootathupatti in Salem district. While women wash soiled
clothes, men shave and clean bodies and convey the news of death of
dominant Dalit to others in the villages. "We get Rs.10 and some
cooked rice," says Selvi (30) of Pachapatti village. Her family
members have been doing these menial jobs for three generations now.

Thurumbar families are forced to live on `poromboke' land abetting the
`cheris' and burial grounds. Their children are not permitted to sit
in classrooms. "In many schools, particularly in the ones that are
functioning in colonies, we are asked to sit separately or far from
other Dalit students," says Selvam, son of Periyavan of Kootathupatti.

Dominant Dalits believe that seeing the Thurumbars itself is
inauspicious. The victims of discrimination say the law-enforcing
authorities are reluctant to register cases against those who practise
untouchability.S. Senthilkumar, president of People's Federation of
Social Justice, which organised a rally here on Wednesday, says even
if cases are registered, they remain on paper in Andipatti and
Maramangalam villages in Salem district. Thurumbar Liberation Movement
state organiser E.G. Arulvalan says caste certificates remain a
problem. Nearly 12 lakh such people live as social outcasts in the
`cheris' of Tamil Nadu.