No land to bury the dead
Tirupur : For Arunthathiyars, the struggle for legitimate rights continues to be an arduous one.Discrimination haunts them not only during their lifetime; even a decent burial after death – at the common burial ground – is denied.
The problem persists across Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode.
Detailing their plight to Express, M Thangavel, state convenor for Avinashi-based Vizhuthugal, an organisation working for the Arunthathiyars, said more than 90 per cent of the community members were burying the dead on wastelands, roadsides, dry ponds and pits. Mostly, they carry the bodies to the outskirts of the village where they either bury or cremate. This has been in practice for years together.
“We have been conducting a series of agitations and demonstrations at various levels to draw the attention of the state government and the district administration.
Nothing has materialized so far,” he said.
During monsoon, they have to walk a long stretch carrying the dead. It’s a tiresome job to identify a place for burial. The situation becomes acute during rains, as they had to wait till the rain stops.
“The mental agony they are subjected to when one of their members dies is beyond description,” Thangavel said, adding that the panchayats could at least earmark a separate burial ground for them. And he vents his ire at an insensitive administration. “What’s the use in having the District Adidriavidar Welfare Officer, who seldom takes care of Adidriavidar welfare?” Thangavel appealed to the CM M Karunanidhi, saying that when funds are being allocated for improving infrastructure in Coimbatore in view of the forthcoming World Classical Tamil conference, the Arunthathiyars would be greatly benefited if lands were earmarked for separate burial ground for them.
