Prevent forms of caste discrimination at Virudhunagar village: Plea in HC

Madurai: A man belonging to the scheduled caste (SC) community moved the Madras high court on Monday, seeking to prevent various forms of caste discrimination such as denial of entry inside temple, denial of hair cuts, practice of two tumbler system at tea shops and denial of permission to eat in hotels at Aviyur village in Virudhunagar district.
A division bench of justice R Subramanian and justice L Victoria Gowri sought a response from the state government on the public interest litigation filed by G Poopandi, a resident of Aviyur village at Kariapatti taluk.
The petitioner stated that 130 families belonging to the SC community are residing in Aviyur village. They are denied entry inside the Sellayi Amman temple, Eswaran temple, Ayyanar temple and Perumal temple in the village. They are also denied permission to perform rituals such as carrying sprout-pot (mulapari) during the temple festivals.
He stated that the two-tumbler system is being practised at tea shops in the village. The SC people are not permitted to sit and eat in hotels at the village. The people belonging to the caste Hindu communities are permitted to sit and eat. He further stated that people belonging to the SC community are denied entry inside the barber shops and denied hair cuts. The petitioner stated that such forms of caste discrimination against the people belonging to the SC community is in violation of the Articles 14, 17 and 21 of the Constitution. He sought to constitute a special committee to probe into the incidents of caste discrimination at the village.
Though he had submitted a representation to the authorities to prevent such practices, no steps were taken so far. Hence, the petitioner moved the Madurai bench of Madras high court. The case was adjourned by four weeks.